Process for improved oxycodone synthesis

ABSTRACT

Processes for preparing oxycodone are provided. Said processes encompass a step which is a hydrogenation of an 14-hydroxycodeinone salt in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol.

The present invention is in the field of oxycodone synthesis. It provides processes for preparing oxycodone, in particular oxycodone base. The resulting oxycodone base may be used in the preparation of APIs like oxycodone hydrochloride. Said APIs may be used in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oxycodone and its hydrochloride salt have long been used as analgesics.

Typically, oxycodone base is prepared by oxidation of thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone, and reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to oxycodone base. A route for the preparation of oxycodone via oxidation of thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone is illustrated in Scheme 1:

Once the oxycodone base has been prepared, it is usually reacted with an acid to produce an oxycodone salt, typically oxycodone hydrochloride (which is the API form in which oxycodone is generally used therapeutically), as shown below in Scheme 2:

The oxidation step in the synthetic route illustrated in Scheme 1 can yield by-products which may be converted into other by-products during further conversion of the oxidation product (e.g., during the reaction shown in Scheme 2) or may be carried over into the final oxycodone salt or other opioid made from the oxycodone base, final pharmaceutical composition or final dosage form. These by-products may be undesired in the final pharmaceutical composition or final dosage form. Separation of these by-products from the final product may often be difficult, time-consuming and not volume efficient (e.g., if a separation by HPLC is required).

For example, during oxidation of thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone, certain by-products can be formed, in particular 8-hydroxyoxycodone:

8-Hydroxyoxycodone can have two stereoconfigurations, 8α-hydroxyoxycodone (8-alpha-hydroxyoxycodone) and 8β-hydroxyoxycodone (8-beta-hydroxyoxycodone). It is known from the prior art that 8α-hydroxyoxycodone can convert to 14-hydroxycodeinone under acidic conditions (e.g., when HCl is added) (WO 2005/097801 to Chapman et al.). It is further known that, under harsher reaction conditions, 8β-hydroxyoxycodone can also convert to 14-hydroxycodeinone (Weiss U., J. Org. Chem. 22(1957), pp. 1505 to 1508). These conversions described in the art are illustrated in Scheme 4:

Thus, the 14-hydroxycodeinone intermediate shown in Scheme 1 is not only the immediate precursor to oxycodone, it is also often found in the final oxycodone salt used in pharmaceutical compositions, which is usually oxycodone hydrochloride. 14-hydroxycodeinone belongs to a class of compounds known as α,β-unsaturated ketones (ABUKs). These compounds contain a substructural component (the α,β-unsaturated ketone component) which produces a structure-activity relationship alert for genotoxicity. Some regulatory authorities do not approve a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form for use and sale to the public if the amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone in the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form exceeds the amount set by these authorities. The United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) currently requires that, in order to obtain approval to market single-entity oxycodone HCl products, applicants must limit the level of ABUKs in oxycodone hydrochloride to NMT 10 ppm (not more than 10 ppm) of the oxycodone hydrochloride. In PCT/IB2013/001538 reactions are described which allow reduction of the amount of undesired by-products caused by the oxidation step. In particular, PCT/IB2013/001538 describes the performance of the oxidation reaction in the presence of an acid H_(n)X^(n−), e.g. H₂SO₄, such that a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt with X^(n−), e.g. SO₄ ²−, as counterion is formed:

However, even under these reaction conditions, some 8-hydroxyoxycodone might be carried over into oxycodone in a subsequent reduction reaction.

Even in spite of the improvements achieved by recent developments like the processes described in PCT/IB2013/001538, there is still a continuing need for processes for preparing oxycodone which exhibit a reduced amount of by-products in the final product. In particular, a process for preparing oxycodone base with a reduced amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone, preferably with no (detectable) 8-hydroxyoxycodone would be advantageous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hydrogenation process for preparing oxycodone from 14-hydroxycodeinone, which process is suitable to reduce or even completely suppress the presence of undesired byproducts of the oxidation reaction leading from thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone, in particular of 8-hydroxyoxycodone, in the resulting oxycodone.

The hydrogenation process according to the invention is useful for preparing oxycodone base from 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate which was made via an oxidation process as described above. Even if this starting material contains 8-hydroxyoxycodone, the resulting oxycodone base made via the hydrogenation process according to the invention contains very small amounts or even no detectable amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone. It also contains very small amounts or even no detectable amounts of 14-hydroxycodeinone, which can be formed from 8-hydroxyoxycodone under acidic conditions (like the acidic conditions of the hydrogenation process).

In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparing oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof, the process comprising or consisting of a conversion of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof to oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof, by hydrogenation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (abbreviated as “TFA”) and/or a glycol. Preferably, both trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol are present during the hydrogenation. In said process, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof may be used as a starting material or as an intermediate material. In each of these cases, said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may be prepared by the following process starting from thebaine as described in PCT/IB2013/001538 (see also detailed description of the present invention below):

The process for preparing oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof according to the present invention is represented by the following reaction Scheme 7:

wherein X^(n−) is an anion selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof; and n is 1, 2, or 3.

Preferably, X^(n−) is SO₄ ²⁻. So, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is preferably 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate.

Given the ingredients of the hydrogenation reaction, depending on the subsequent workup the resulting oxycodone could be isolated (1) as free base, (2) as salt with X^(n−) as anion, (3) as oxycodone trifluoroacetate, or (4) as a salt with a combination of X^(n−) and trifluoroacetate as anion. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is isolated as free base.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is represented by the following structure:

wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above.

In one embodiment, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is

or a solvate thereof. In the context of the present invention, this compound will be designated as 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate. Because of its stoichiometric composition, it may also be designated as bis(14-hydroxycodeinone)sulfate. The terms 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and bis(14-hydroxycodeinone)sulfate are used interchangeably in the context of the present invention.

In the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, the 14-hydroxycodcinone is typically protonated by a proton (H⁺), and thus forms a cation. For example, when n=2, the two protons and two molecules of 14-hydroxycodeinone which are present in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt form two cations of 14-hydroxycodeinone in its protonated form.

According to the present invention, the hydrogenation is performed in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol. In a preferred embodiment, TFA is present, and preferably in a substoichiometric amount. In another preferred embodiment, glycol is present. Even more preferably, both glycol and TFA are present, wherein TFA is preferably present in a substoichiometric amount.

Preferably, the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

The advantages of the hydrogenation reaction characterizing the process of the present invention are explained in the following: The presence of trifluoroacetic acid and glycol during hydrogenation has the technical effect that less 8-hydroxyoxycodone will be present in the reaction product than in a reaction product made in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid and glycol. By performing the hydrogenation in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and glycol, even oxycodone without any detectable amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or 14-hydroxycodeinone may be prepared from a starting material containing 8-hydroxyoxycodone. Said 8-hydroxyoxycodone is an undesired by-product of the oxidation of thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone, and it is carried over into the final oxycodone in conventional reduction reactions leading from 14-hydroxycodeinone (made by oxidation of thebaine) to oxycodone. The hydrogenation reaction of the present invention can reduce or even completely suppress this carryover. Without being bound by theory, the reaction conditions of the hydrogenation reaction, in particular the low content of acid (typically a substoichiometric amount of TFA is used) in the reaction mixture, might also prevent acid-catalyzed conversion of 14-hydroxycodeinone into 8-hydroxyoxycodone during the hydrogenation reaction. Moreover, 8-hydroxyoxycodone might be more soluble in the reaction solvent (which contains the glycol characterizing the hydrogenation reaction of the present invention) than oxycodone base or an oxycodone salt. Thus, oxycodone or a salt thereof can be purified from 8-hydroxyoxycodone by precipitation. A preferred embodiment of the present invention makes use of this effect by precipitating and isolating the oxycodone base.

Processes using a 14-hydroxycodeinone trifluoroacetate salt as starting material for a reduction reaction are already described in PCT/IB2013/001538. However, for performing the process of the present application, it is sufficient to use trifluoroacetic acid in substoichiometric amounts (less than 1 molar equivalent of 14-hydroxycodeinone), together with a different 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, e.g., 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate.

In certain embodiments, trifluoroacetic acid is the sole acid added to the hydrogenation reaction mixture, and it is added in substoichiometric amounts, i.e. less than 100 mol % of the 14-hydroxycodeinone in the starting material 14-hydroxycodeinone salt. This can greatly reduce the amount of base which has to be added to precipitate the oxycodone free base after the hydrogenation reaction. As already mentioned above, this low amount of acid in the reaction mixture might also prevent acid-catalyzed conversion of 14-hydroxycodeinone into 8-hydroxyoxycodone during the hydrogenation reaction.

A process according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol; and subsequently hydrogenating the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone, which may then be isolated as its base or as an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof.

Hence, the present invention provides a process for preparing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof from a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof

the process comprising or consisting of the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol, preferably trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to oxycodone, wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above.

After the hydrogenation reaction, the oxycodone may be present as its salt or solvate in the reaction mixture, e.g., as its sulfate salt and/or trifluoroacetate salt. In a subsequent step, it may be converted into its free base and/or converted into a different salt or solvate, e.g., a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate. It may be isolated from the reaction mixture in one or more of these forms.

In a preferred embodiment, the oxycodone is isolated from the reaction mixture as free base, e.g. by precipitation and subsequent isolation of the precipitate. In said embodiment, the process may be represented by the following reaction scheme:

the process comprising or consisting of the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol, preferably trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone; and (d) adding a base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof, wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above, and X^(n−) is preferably SO₄ ²−.

In a preferred aspect of this process, 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (or a solvate thereof) is converted into oxycodone base (or a solvate thereof).

Usually, the oxycodone resulting from a conventional reduction of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt (e.g., 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate) may contain certain by-products, as shown in the following Scheme 8

8-Hydroxyoxycodone is undesired in the final oxycodone because it may convert to 14-hydroxycodeinone, an ABUK, under acidic conditions, in particular when oxycodone is converted to oxycodone hydrochloride (the API). Apart from 8-hydroxyoxycodone, 14-hydroxycodeinone is also undesired in the final oxycodone. Such 14-hydroxycodeinone may be unreacted starting material, or it may be formed from 8-hydroxyoxycodone because of the presence of acid in the hydrogenation mixture during the hydrogenation or after the hydrogenation reaction has been stopped. It is an advantage of the present invention that the hydrogenation reaction according to the present invention allows formation of oxycodone which does neither contain 14-hydroxycodeinone nor 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

The hydrogenation reaction characterizing the process of the present invention is suitable for reducing the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone in the resulting oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof, in comparison to processes utilizing a different reduction or hydrogenation reaction which also starts with 14-hydroxycodeinone salt as starting material, and especially in comparison to processes not utilizing a salt of 14-hydroxycodeinone, in particular not 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, as starting material.

The hydrogenation process of the present invention differs from the hydrogenation described in PCT/IB2013/001538 and similar prior art hydrogenations in that TFA and/or glycol, preferably both TFA and glycol are present during the hydrogenation. This has the surprising effect that the resulting oxycodone base contains very small amounts or even no detectable amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone. It also contains very small amounts or even no detectable amounts of 14-hydroxycodeinone, which can be formed from 8-hydroxyoxycodone under acidic conditions (like the acidic conditions of the hydrogenation process).

It may also be because of the use of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt as starting material for said hydrogenation reaction that the process of the present invention is suitable for reducing the amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone and/or 8-hydroxyoxycodone in oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof prepared from said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, in comparison to processes using other intermediates or starting materials. 14-hydroxycodeinone salt made from thebaine, e.g. according to the processes described in PCT/IB2013/001538, contains reduced amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in comparison to 14-hydroxycodeinone made via other routes from thebaine. The lower amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may result in less 8-hydroxyoxycodone in oxycodone made from said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, which in turn may result in less 14-hydroxycodeinone in an oxycodone salt made from said oxycodone, because 14-hydroxycodeinone can be formed from 8-hydroxyoxycodone during the conversion of oxycodone to a salt thereof by acid addition.

In those embodiments of the present invention which encompass precipitation and isolation of the oxycodone as free base, typically, at least some 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof remains in the supernatant. Thus, a separation of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone from the oxycodone or solvate thereof may be achieved by the precipitation. The precipitated and optionally isolated precipitate, which contains the oxycodone base or the solvate thereof, may contain a lower ratio of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone to the oxycodone than the ratio of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone to the oxycodone in the mother liquor.

8-hydroxyoxycodone has the following formula:

The stereoconfiguration at C-8 of 8-hydroxyoxycodone can be either alpha (8α) or beta (8β). The 8α and 8β stereoconfiguration are shown for 8-hydroxyoxycodone in Scheme 9. The 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be the 8α compound, or the 8β compound, or a mixture of the 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and the 8β-hydroxyoxycodone.

Pharmaceutical compositions prepared by processes of the present invention may be quantitatively different from pharmaceutical compositions prepared by conventional processes which do not utilize the hydrogenation of 14-hydroxycodeinone salt according to the present invention, and may offer advantages over the compositions prepared by conventional processes, e.g., in terms of safety, efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs. For example, these compositions may contain less by-products and/or require less or no further processing steps after synthesis of their API.

Moreover, the hydrogenation reaction according to the present invention may allow for a more volume efficient process, as compared to the conventional hydrogenation reaction. The use of a substoichiometric amount of trifluoroacetic acid (instead of, e.g. formic acid as an excess reagent as described in conventional hydrogenation reactions, which generally use >5 molar equivalents of formic acid) requires the addition of less base after the hydrogenation if the oxycodone shall be precipitated as its free base. This reduces the amount of base required, and also makes the reaction more volume efficient.

Oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof are also provided by the present invention. Oxycodone, when prepared by a process according to present invention, may comprise only very low amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone. As explained above, under the conditions described in the prior art, 14-hydroxycodeinone may be formed from 8-hydroxyoxycodone when preparing the oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof. In particular, the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof according to the present invention may comprise an amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone which is below the threshold amount mandated by the regulatory authorities for the approval of pharmaceutical compositions for use and sale to the public, and/or it comprises an amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone which is insufficient to increase the amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, upon further processing of the oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof, above said threshold amount.

The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms, which comprise oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride). Said oxycodone is preferably prepared by the process according to the present invention. In certain embodiments, these pharmaceutical compositions have a different by-product profile and may have a different efficacy than pharmaceutical compositions prepared via a different reduction reaction, rather than via the hydrogenation reaction of the present invention. In particular, the content of the 14-hydroxycodeinone in these pharmaceutical compositions differs from the content of the 14-hydroxycodeinone in pharmaceutical compositions prepared via the free base of 14-hydroxycodeinone, rather than via the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. This encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof in an amount which is below the threshold amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone mandated by the regulatory authorities for the approval of these compositions for use and sale to the public. It also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising, in addition to the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof in an amount which is insufficient to increase the levels of 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, upon further processing of the pharmaceutical composition, above the threshold amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone mandated by the regulatory authorities for the approval of these compositions for use and sale to the public. It also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising, in addition to the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, and 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein the 8-hydroxyoxycodone is present in an amount which is insufficient to increase the levels of the 14-hydroxycodeinone, upon further processing as described in the prior art, above the threshold amount of the compound of formula II mandated by the regulatory authorities for the approval of these compositions for use and sale to the public.

The present invention is further directed to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms formed as the result of carrying out the processes of the invention, as well as methods for using these pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms in the treatment of medical conditions. The immediate products formed by carrying out the processes of the invention may be suitable as pharmaceutical compositions themselves, without further processing steps.

These pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms can be used to treat or prevent one or more of the following medical conditions: pain, addiction, cough, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia associated with and/or caused by pain, cough or addiction, depression associated with and/or resulting from pain, cough or addiction, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing conditions, etc. A method for treatment or prevention of one or more of these conditions by administration of oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof to a patient is also provided by the present invention.

The use of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form according to the present invention, comprising oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of one or more of these medical conditions is also part of the present invention.

CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses the following embodiments:

(1) A process for preparing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof from a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof

the process comprising or consisting of the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone, wherein X^(n−) is an anion selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²−, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof; and n is 1, 2, or 3. (2) The process of (1), wherein trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol are added in step (b). (3) The process of (1) or (2), wherein n is 2 and X^(n−) is SO₄ ²⁻. (4) The process of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the amount of trifluoroacetic acid is 99 mol % or less as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt. (5) The process of (4), wherein the amount of trifluoroacetic acid is from 30 mol % to 50 mol % as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt. (6) The process of any one of (1) to (5), wherein the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. (7) The process of (6), wherein the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. (8) The process of (7), wherein the glycol is ethylene glycol. (9) The process of (7), wherein the glycol is propylene glycol. (10) The process of any one of (1) to (9), wherein the glycol added in step (b) is in the range of 1 to 8 volumes in mL in relation to the weight in g of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt. (11) The process of any one of (1) to (10), wherein the hydrogenation in step (c) is performed with H₂ and a hydrogenation catalyst. (12) The process of (11), wherein the hydrogenation catalyst is Pd/C. (13) The process of any one of (1) to (12), wherein a mixture of water and the glycol is used as solvent. (14) The process of (13), wherein the mixture is in a range from 20:80 to 45:55 glycol:water. (15) The process of (14), wherein the mixture is about 40:60 glycol:water. (16) The process of any one of (1) to (15), additionally comprising the step: (d) adding a base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates as its free base, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof. (17) The process of (16), wherein the base added in step (d) is NaOH. (18) A process for preparing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof from thebaine, the process comprising or consisting of the steps

(aa) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; (bb) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction; (cc) optionally precipitating the resulting 14-hydroxycodeinone as 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (dd) optionally isolating the precipitated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; and (ee) performing the process according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein X^(n−) is an anion selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof; and n is 1, 2, or 3. (19) The process of (18), wherein n is 2 and X^(n−) is SO₄ ²⁻. (20) The process of (1), wherein said process comprises the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone. (21) The process of (1), wherein said process consists of the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone. (22) The process of (18), wherein said process comprises the steps

(aa) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; (bb) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction; (cc) optionally precipitating the resulting 14-hydroxycodeinone as 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (dd) optionally isolating the precipitated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; and (ee) performing the process according to any one of (1) to (17). (23) The process of (18), wherein said process consists of the steps

(aa) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; (bb) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction; (cc) optionally precipitating the resulting 14-hydroxycodeinone as 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (dd) optionally isolating the precipitated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; and (ee) performing the process according to any one of (1) to (17). (24) Oxycodone prepared by the process of any one of (1) to (23). (25) The oxycodone of (24), which contains less than 1 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone and less than 1 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone. (26) A pharmaceutical composition comprising the oxycodone according to (24) or (25) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. (27) The oxycodone of (24) or (25), or the pharmaceutical composition of (26), for use in the treatment of pain.

Definitions

Unless otherwise specified, the following abbreviations and definitions are used in the context of the present invention.

The undefined article “a” or “an” is intended to mean one or more of the species designated by the term following said article. For example, “a compound of formula II” encompasses one or more molecules of the compound of formula II.

The term “about” in the context of the present application means a value within 15% (±15%) of the value recited immediately after the term “about,” including any numeric value within this range, the value equal to the upper limit (i.e., +15%) and the value equal to the lower limit (i.e., −15%) of this range. For example, the phrase “about 100” encompasses any numeric value that is between 85 and 115, including 85 and 115 (with the exception of “about 100%”, which always has an upper limit of 100%). In a preferred aspect, “about” means ±10%, even more preferably ±5%, even more preferably ±1% or less than ±1%.

“TFA” means trifluoroacetic acid.

An “opioid” in its broadest sense encompasses all compounds usually designated with said term in the art, including opioids which act as an agonist on opioid receptors and opioids which act as an antagonist on opioid receptors. Partial agonists and partial antagonists are also known and are encompassed by the term “opioid”. Opioid agonists include, e.g., oxycodone, oxymorphone, noroxycodone, nalfurafine and salts and solvates of any of the foregoing. Opioid antagonists include, e.g., naltrexone, methylnaltrexone, naloxone, nalmefene, and salts and solvates of any of the foregoing. In the context of the present application, the term “opioid” shall encompass a compound having one of the following scaffolds (which will be designated as “morphine scaffold” in the context of present invention):

The degree of unsaturation in the ring formed by atoms 5, 6, 7, 8, 14 and 13 may vary (the ring may, e.g., just contain single bonds as in 8-hydroxyoxycodone, contain just one double bond as in 14-hydroxycodeinone, or contain two double bonds as in thebaine).

The “threshold amount” of 14-hydroxycodeinone in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms is set by regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be learned from the latest version of the FDA guidelines (“Guidelines”) or, if not addressed in said Guidelines, from the latest version of the ICH Guidelines. For example, for an oxycodone hydrochloride API the current threshold amount according to the FDA is 10 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone in relation to the amount of oxycodone hydrochloride. This threshold amount refers to the amount above which the FDA will not approve the pharmaceutical composition, or dosage form thereof, for use and sale to the public. In the context of the present invention, the threshold amount may be 10 ppm or less.

The term “8-hydroxy compound” in the context of the present application means a compound containing a hydroxyl group in position 8 of the morphine scaffold. In a narrower sense, it means 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof. The term “8-hydroxy compound” includes the 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and/or the 8β-hydroxyoxycodone.

It should be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the terms “salt” and “solvate” in the present specification encompass “a pharmaceutically acceptable salt” and “a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate”, respectively. The formation of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate may be achieved either directly or by the preparation of a pharmaceutically unacceptable salt or solvate and a subsequent conversion to the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate. A conversion of one pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate to another pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate is also possible.

The term “solvate” in the context of the present application in its broadest sense means an association product of a compound or salt of the present invention with a solvent molecule. The molar ratio of solvent molecule(s) per compound molecule may vary. The molar ratio of solvent to compound/salt in the solvate may be 1 (e.g., in a monohydrate), more than 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a polyhydrate), or less than 1 (e.g., 0.5 in a hemihydrate). The molar ratio need not be an integer ratio, it can also be, e.g., 0.5 (as in a hemihydrate) or 2.5. For example, 1 molecule water per molecule of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate is bound in 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate monohydrate. Applied to oxycodone, 8-hydroxyoxycodone, 14-hydroxycodeinone or, where appropriate, to salts thereof, the solvate is in certain embodiments a hydrate, for example a monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, pentahydrate or hexahydrate, or a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is not necessarily an integer, but within the range of from 0.5 to 10.0. In certain embodiments, the solvate is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 8. In certain embodiments, the solvate is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 6, i.e. a mono- to hexahydrate. In certain embodiments, it is a monohydrate or a pentahydrate.

The terms “precipitating”/“precipitate”/“precipitation” in the context of the present application shall encompass “crystallizing”/“crystallize”/“crystallization” unless stated otherwise. In certain embodiments, the precipitate described herein is amorphous. In certain embodiments, the precipitate is a mixture of amorphous and crystalline components. In certain embodiments, the precipitate described herein is crystalline. For example, 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate may precipitate in a crystalline form, whilst oxycodone base typically is an amorphous precipitate.

The acronym “ppm” means parts per million. For purposes of the present application, the numeric ppm amount values of opioids contained in a composition containing more than one opioid are given in relation to the amount of the opioid (“reference opioid”) constituting the majority of the opioids contained in said composition. Such reference opioid will typically be oxycodone (in the final product oxycodone of the hydrogenation reaction) or 14-hydroxycodeinone (in the starting material 14-hydroxycodeinone salt of the hydrogenation reaction). The ppm values can be determined by performing a chromatographic resolution of the composition and subsequent calculation of the relative or absolute amounts of the opioid components based on the peak area. For purposes of the present invention, an HPLC method (e.g., as described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011) and used in Synthetic Example 2 for oxycodone and its precursors and by-products) can be performed. The composition components can be detected at a certain wavelength (e.g., at 206 nm for oxycodone and its precursors and by-products). The HPLC peak area ratio of a certain opioid component to the reference opioid determines the ppm value. The numeric ppm amount value of the one opioid compound constituting the majority of the opioids in the composition (i.e. of the reference opioid, which may be oxycodone or 14-hydroxycodeinone) can be obtained from the percent area of the peak of this compound in relation to the area sum of all opioid peaks.

Under the HPLC conditions used in the context of the present invention (e.g., the HPLC conditions as described in Synthetic Example 2 for oxycodone and its precursors and by-products; or any other reverse phase HPLC conditions), any salt will not be determined in its salt form, but in a dissociated form. For example, the 14-hydroxycodeinone moiety of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate will be detected and quantified in its dissolved form, i.e. as 14-hydroxycodeinone. Consequently, the HPLC peak area detectable for an opioid salt of the present invention will be the HPLC peak area which is detected for the opioid moiety comprised in said salt. In case a salt contains more than one opioid moieties per anion, the HPLC method does not detect the absolute/relative amount of the salt itself, but of its opioid moiety. If in such a salt two opioid moieties per anion are present (such as in 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate wherein n is 2), the peak area detected in the HPLC is due to the presence of the two opioid moieties contained in said salt. In case of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein n is 3, the peak area detected in the HPLC is due to the presence of the three opioid moieties contained in said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

This has the following consequence: As defined above, the numeric ppm value for an opioid is the ratio of peak area for said opioid in relation to the peak area of the reference opioid. In case the present application refers to numeric ppm values for a ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone to a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, in fact the ratio of the peak area for the 8-hydroxycodone to the peak area of the 14-hydroxycodeinone (which is contained in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt) is provided. A 14-hydroxycodeinone salt comprises n-times the structural unit of 14-hydroxycodeinone (e.g., two times for a sulfate salt, three times for a phosphate salt, etc.). All ppm values given in the description are based on the original peak area ratio of the opioid moiety, without adjusting them by dividing them by n. For example, if a peak area ratio of 4 ppm is determined via HPLC for a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein n is 2, the corresponding ppm value will also be 4 (and not 2). This way of giving compound ratios in ppm will be designated as “HPLC peak area ratio” in the following.

The opioid peaks which are typically considered in this determination method are peaks having an UV-Vis spectrum which is typical for an opioid. For 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (or another 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof) and for oxycodone, typically the peaks of oxycodone-N-oxide, pseudo-oxycodone (i.e., 2,2′-bisoxycodone), 14-hydroxycodeine, 10-ketooxycodone, 10-hydroxyoxycodone, 8-hydroxyoxycodone, 14-hydroxycodeinone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, 6α-oxycodol, 6β-oxycodol, codeinone, codeine, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, noroxymorphone (see, e.g., Synthetic Example 2) may be considered (if present).

A reverse phase HPLC method may be used for determination of ppm values.

The detection of the sample components may be performed using a UV/VIS detector, e.g., at a wavelength of 206 nm.

Alternatively, the detection of the sample components may be performed using a mass spectrometer. The amount of a certain component may be determined by using a tritiated internal standard. However, this method of detection does not require the “HPLC peak area ratio” described above, as it uses an internal standard.

In the preferred embodiments, the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011) is used for determination of ppm values.

“No detectable amount”, “not detectable”, “not . . . in detectable amounts” or a similar formulation means an amount of the compound in question (e.g. 14-hydroxycodeinone or 8-hydroxyoxycodone) below the LOD (limit of detection). In the context of the present invention, this means an amount of less than 5 ppm, preferably less than 3 ppm, more preferably less than 1 ppm of the compound in question (e.g. 14-hydroxycodeinone or 8-hydroxyoxycodone in relation to oxycodone) (HPLC peak area ratio). In a specific aspect of the invention, this means the absence (i.e. 0 ppm) of the compound in question.

The term “API” in the context of the present invention means “active pharmaceutical ingredient” (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride) and shall be used in its broadest sense as a synonym for a pharmaceutically active compound in the context of the present invention. When an API is used in preparing a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, the API is the pharmaceutically active component of said pharmaceutical composition or dosage form. Pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms containing an API may be approved by a governmental agency for sale and use in a patient (e.g., a human). Examples of APIs described in the context of the present invention include oxycodone and oxycodone hydrochloride.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” in the context of the present application means a composition which contains an API and is suitable for use in a patient (e.g., a human). It may be approved by a governmental agency for sale and use in a patient. Examples for pharmaceutical compositions described in the context of the present invention are among the compositions containing oxycodone or oxycodone hydrochloride. Pharmaceutical compositions may be compositions prepared according to the invention if they comply with regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical compositions containing the same API.

The term “salt” in the context of the present application means a compound comprising at least one cation (e.g., one or two 14-hydroxycodeinone cations resulting from protonation of 14-hydroxycodeinone (free base) by a Bronsted acid (like sulfuric acid)) and at least one anion (e.g., a sulfate anion). A salt may be the result of the neutralization reaction between an acid and a base (e.g., a Bronsted acid and a Bronsted base, or a Lewis acid and a Lewis base). In its solid form, the salt may have a crystalline structure. The term “salt” as used in the present application includes anhydrous, solvated, or hydrated forms of the salt. Whenever a solution or mixture containing a salt is mentioned, the term “salt” shall also encompass the dissolved form of the salt. The term also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in particular when it refers to a salt of a compound which can serve as API. In the context of present invention, whenever a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is mentioned, this refers to a salt containing a 14-hydroxycodeinone cation, resulting, e.g., from protonation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone. The same applies to other salts containing a cation with a morphine scaffold, e.g., a salt of 8-hydroxyoxycodone. An example for a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a salt which consists of two molecules of 14-hydroxycodeinone and one molecule of H₂SO₄, i.e. which comprises two 14-hydroxycodeinone cations per sulfate anion (14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate). In this salt, the cation results from the protonation of two molecules of 14-hydroxycodeinone and the anion is the resulting sulfate. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a salt which is a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is in its solid form. Another example for a salt is a salt of oxycodone or a solvate thereof. An example for such salt of oxycodone is a salt which consists of two molecules of oxycodone and one molecule of H₂SO₄, i.e. which comprises two oxycodone cations per sulfate anion (oxycodone sulfate). In this salt, the cation results from the protonation of two molecules of oxycodone and the anion is the resulting sulfate. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a salt of oxycodone is in its solid form.

Whenever a compound or formula mentioned herein contains an atom or structural element which could be a stereocenter (e.g., a chiral carbon atom or the morphine scaffold structure), it shall cover all possible stereoisomers, unless indicated otherwise.

For compounds containing the morphine scaffold, the natural stereoconfiguration of the morphine scaffold as shown in the following shall be preferred:

wherein the degree of unsaturation in the ring formed by atoms 5, 6, 7, 8, 14 and 13 may vary (the ring may, e.g., just contain single bonds as in 8-hydroxyoxycodone, or contain just one double bond as in 14-hydroxycodeinone, or contain two double bonds as in thebaine). At position 5, the following stereoconfiguration is preferred (exemplified for the morphine scaffold of thebaine):

For the 8-hydroxy compounds, an α or a β configuration is possible at position 8 as illustrated in the following:

In the compounds and compositions of the present invention, either both configurations or only one configuration at position 8 may be present.

For all compounds containing a hydroxyl group at position 14, the following stereoconfiguration occurs at position 14 as exemplified for 14-hydroxycodeinone in the following:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Compounds

In the context of the present invention, compounds which are thebaine, oxycodone, 14-hydroxycodeinone, 8-hydroxyoxycodone, and salts and solvates thereof, and mixtures of two or more of any of the foregoing compounds are described. They may be used as starting materials, intermediates or products of the processes according to present invention. To these compounds, the following applies:

In all formulae containing stereocenters, any stereoconfiguration may be present, unless indicated otherwise. If a compound is the product of a process according to the present invention, those stereocenters of the starting material which are not taking part in the reaction will maintain their stereoconfiguration. In certain embodiments, the stereoconfiguration is as described in the Definitions section above.

In all formulae containing X^(n−), X^(n−) may be an inorganic or organic anion wherein n is 1, 2, or 3, preferably is 1 or 2, and more preferably is 2.

X^(n−) may be any anion of a known opioid salt, including, but not limited to, bromide, chloride, iodide, lactate, nitrate, acetate, tartrate, valerate, citrate, salicylate, meconate, barbiturate, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof.

Preferably, X^(n−) is selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof. More preferably, X^(n−) is HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, or a mixture thereof. Even more preferably, X^(n−) is HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate or trifluoroacetate. Even more preferably, X^(n−) is HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, or trifluoroacetate. Even more preferably, X^(n−) is HSO₄ ⁻ or SO₄ ²⁻. Most preferably, X^(n−) is SO₄ ².

X^(n−) may be polymer-supported if n is 2 or 3.

Thebaine may be contained in a concentrate of a poppy straw comprising thebaine as a main alkaloid (CPS-T), or it may be purified thebaine, thebaine obtained from a botanical source, synthetic thebaine, semi-synthetic thebaine, thebaine bioengineered by, e.g., bacteria or plant cell cultures, or a combination of two or more of any of the foregoing.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is preferably

or a solvate (e.g., a hydrate) thereof, respectively. As already mentioned above, this compound will in the context of the present invention be designated as 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate. Because of its stoichiometric composition, it may also be designated as bis(14-hydroxycodeinone)sulfate. The terms 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and bis(14-hydroxycodeinone)sulfate are used interchangeably in the context of the present invention.

When a solvate of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is addressed, it may be any association product of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt with a solvent molecule. The molar ratio of solvent molecule(s) per molecule of 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may vary. The molar ratio of solvent to compound/salt in the solvate may be 1 (e.g., in a monohydrate), more than 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a polyhydrate), or less than 1 (e.g., 0.5 in a hemihydrate). The molar ratio need not be an integer ratio, it can also be, e.g., 0.5 (as in a hemihydrate) or 2.5. For example, 1 molecule water per molecule of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate is bound in 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate monohydrate. The solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is in certain embodiments a hydrate, for example a monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, pentahydrate or hexahydrate, or a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is not necessarily an integer, but within the range of from 0.5 to 10.0. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 8. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 6, i.e. a mono- to hexahydrate. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a monohydrate or a pentahydrate. The same applies to other solvates in the context of the present invention, e.g. solvates of oxycodone or of a salt thereof.

II. Processes for Preparation of Oxycodone or (Pharmaceutically Acceptable) Salts or Solvates Thereof by Hydrogenation in the Presence of Trifluoroacetic Acid and/or Glycol

The present invention provides a process for preparing oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof from a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof as represented in the following Scheme 10:

the process comprising or consisting of the steps of (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol, preferably trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to the oxycodone, wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above.

In certain embodiments, the solution or suspension comprising the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is provided in step (a) by performing steps (a) to (b) of the process described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538, steps (a) to (c) of the process described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538, or steps (a) to (d) of the process described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538 (said steps (a) to (d) of the process described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538 correspond to steps (aa) to (dd) described herein below). When steps (a) to (d) described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538 are performed, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof isolated in step (d) thereof is dissolved or suspended to provide the solution or suspension of said compound in step (a) of the process according to the present invention.

In certain embodiments, the solution or suspension comprising the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is the composition described in Section IV-A of PCT/IB2013/001538.

The hydrogenation of step (c) may be hydrogenation with H₂ or transfer hydrogenation. Typically, the hydrogenation is performed in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Preferably, the hydrogenation is performed with H₂ and a hydrogenation catalyst.

An exemplary hydrogenation reaction is depicted in Scheme 11:

Scheme 11 takes into account that 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt thereof may be present in the starting material in addition to 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (or any other 14-hydroxycodeinone salt). Said 8-hydroxy compound may carry over during the hydrogenation reaction. Or, as the hydrogenation is performed under acidic conditions, said 8-hydroxy compound may be converted partially or completely to the corresponding 14-hydroxy compound 14-hydroxycodeinone during the hydrogenation reaction. Thus, 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be present in the reaction product which contains oxycodone as main hydrogenation product. However, typically, neither 8-hydroxyoxycodone nor 14-hydroxycodeinone are present in the final oxycodone when the preferred embodiments of the hydrogenation reaction of the present invention are performed.

In the context of the present invention, it is also considered to precipitate and isolate the oxycodone as its free base. The precipitation and isolation of the free base of the oxycodone can result in a further purification effect, as the precipitated base may contain less 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone than the mother liquor. In particular, 8-hydroxycodone can be removed by precipitation because its majority remains in the supernatant when oxycodone is precipitated as its free base.

As the hydrogenation is performed under acidic conditions, the by-products present in the starting material and in the product may be present in their protonated form, or as a salt or solvate thereof.

The amount of TFA added in step (b) may be in the range from 5 to 99 mol % as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the starting material. Preferably, TFA is used in a substoichiometric amount, that is, less TFA is added (in mol) than 14-hydroxycodeinone (in mol) which is contained in the starting material. Thus, it is preferred that the amount of TFA added in step (b) is 99 mol % or less (0.99 equivalents or less), more preferably from 10 to 70 mol % (0.1 to 0.7 equivalents), even more preferably from 30 to 50 mol % (0.3 to 0.5 equivalents) as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the starting material. Thus, the amount of TFA, and the total amount of acid in the reaction mixture is lower than in conventional hydrogenation reactions leading from 14-hydroxycodeinone to oxycodone, resulting in the advantages described under Summary of the Invention in connection with the substoichiometric amount of TFA.

The amount of glycol added in step (b) is typically in the range from 1 to 8 volumes/weight (vol/w), preferably from 1.5 to 5 vol/w, more preferably from 2 to 4 vol/w, calculated for the glycol volume in mL in relation to the weight in g of 14-hydroxycodeinone salt (for example, in Example 6, 2.6 vol/w propylene glycol are used).

Preferably, the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

A combination of TFA with glycol is especially preferred. In said combination, the glycol is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. In said combination, the volume ratio of TFA to glycol is preferably from 1:15 to 1:45 (vol/vol), more preferably from 1:20 to 1:40 (vol/vol), and even more preferably from 1:25 to 1:35 (vol/vol).

The hydrogenation is generally performed at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 85° C., preferably from about 25° C. to about 60° C., more preferably from about 25° C. to about 50° C., more preferably from about 25° C. to about 45° C., more preferably from about 25° C. to about 40° C., and even more preferably from about 28° C. to about 36° C. (e.g., at 30° C.).

Preferably, the hydrogenation is performed with hydrogen gas.

The hydrogenation using hydrogen gas is performed at a suitable pressure. In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation is performed at a pressure of from about ambient pressure

(about 14.7 psia, 101.35 kPa) to about 100 psia (689.48 kPa). In certain embodiments, it is performed at a pressure of from about 35 psia (241.32 kPa) to about 80 psia (551.58 kPa), e.g., at about 60 psia (413.69 kPa). In preferred embodiments, it is performed at a pressure of from about 14.7 psia (101.35 kPa) to about 60 psia (413.69 kPa).

The hydrogenation reaction may be run from about 0.5 minute to about 48 hours, from about 1 minute to about 42 hours, from about 2 minutes to about 26 hours, from about 1 minute to about 24 hours, from about 3 minutes to about 22 hours, from about 4 minutes to about 20 hours, from about 5 minutes to about 18 hours, from about 7 minutes to about 16 hours, from about 10 minutes to about 12 hours, from about 12 minutes to about 12 hours, from about 20 minutes to about 12 hours, from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours, from about 2 hours to about 6 hours, or from about 3 hours to about 6 hours. In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction is run from about 1 hour to about 48 hours.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction is run for about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, about 1.5 hours, about 2 hours, about 2.5 hours, about 3 hours, about 3.5 hours, about 4 hours, about 4.5 hours, about 5 hours, about 5.5 hours, or about 6 hours.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction is run for about 8 hours, about 12 hours, about 16 hours, about 20 hours, or about 24 hours.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction is run for about 26 hours, about 30 hours, about 34 hours, about 38 hours, about 42 hours, or about 48 hours.

Generally, the hydrogenation reaction is run until completion, i.e. until 14-hydroxycodeinone has disappeared from the reaction mixture. This can be monitored by any suitable detection method, e.g. by the HPLC methods described herein, in particular the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011).

An exemplary non-limiting list of hydrogenation catalysts includes, e.g., Pd/C, palladium-charcoal, a combination of diphenylsilane and Pd/C, Pd(Ph₃P)/ZnCl₂, a combination of Pd/C with sodium hypophosphite (e.g., in aqueous trifluoroacetic acid), Pt/C, Ru/C, Rh/C, PdO₂, PtO₂, zinc, magnesium. In certain embodiments, the catalyst is a palladium catalyst. Preferably, the catalyst is Pd/C, in particular Pd/C with 5% Pd.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation catalyst is not a metal, e.g., when the hydrogenation is a metal-free transfer hydrogenation as described in Yang, J. W. et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2004) 43:6660-6662.

In certain embodiments, a solid support catalyst is used, e.g., to ensure reaction completion upon contact and/or potentially prevent or minimize the formation of any new 14-hydroxycodeinone from 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

Transfer hydrogenation involves the use of a hydrogen transfer reagent.

Suitable hydrogen transfer reagents include HCO₂H, HCO₂H/HCO₂Na, HCO₂H/NEt₃, HCHO, H₂SO₄, HCO₂Na/NEt₃, H₂SO₄/NEt₃, H₃CSO₂NHNH₂/NEt₃, a combination thereof, and the like. Other hydrogen donors, like isopropanol, indoline, cyclohexene, sodium borohydride, tetrahydroquinoline, 2,5-dihydrofuran, phosphoric acid, sodium dithionitc, and combinations thereof, might also be useful. In certain embodiments, the hydrogen transfer reagent is a dihydropyridine, e.g., as described in Yang, J. W. et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2004) 43:6660-6662.

The hydrogenation may be done by a batch method or in a continuously flowing stream.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation is done by a batch method. In an exemplary batch method, a catalyst (e.g., palladium on carbon) is charged into a batch reactor. A solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is added, or the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt and the solvent are added separately. Trifluoroacetic acid and/or glycol are added. If necessary, water is also added. The batch reactor is then sealed and hydrogenated (e.g., at 14.7 psia (101.35 kPa), and 30° C.) for a time period sufficient to complete hydrogenation (e.g., for 48 hours). The catalyst is then removed by filtration.

The resulting oxycodone may then be precipitated as its free base by addition of a base, e.g., of sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide. Preferably, sodium hydroxide is used, because the resulting precipitate shows a better behavior in subsequent reactions. The precipitation may be enhanced by adding an antisolvent. The precipitated solids are then optionally washed and dried. The precipitation step (d) is described in more detail below.

In certain embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction is conducted in a continuously flowing stream. A reaction in a continuously flowing stream of the reactants allows for the transport of matter into and out of the reaction mixture as the reaction is taking place. Running the reaction in a continuously flowing stream allows, e.g., better control over reaction conditions (including, e.g., time, temperature, equivalents of reagents, pressure, temperature, time of exposure of reactants to catalysts, pH, etc.), and isolation and/or removal of the oxycodone from the reaction mixture as it is being formed and/or before any undesired compound is formed. In certain embodiments, the oxycodone is removed from the reaction mixture as it is being formed.

In certain embodiments, conducting the reaction in a continuously flowing stream allows for conducting the reaction at a temperature which exceeds the boiling point of the solvent, because the pressure can be safely maintained.

In certain embodiments, conducting the reaction in a continuously flowing stream increases the yield of the reaction, increases the volume efficiency of the reaction and/or decreases the number and amounts of by-products formed during the hydrogenation reaction, as the oxycodone is removed before it reacts with and/or is degraded by the remaining reactants.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is taken up in a suitable solvent in step (a) of the process according to the present invention. Thus, a suspension or solution of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is formed. The hydrogenation product formed during the process typically dissolves in the solvent. In certain embodiments, the solution or suspension of step (a) is provided by using the glycol of step (b) as solvent. In said embodiments, the glycol is either the sole solvent, or it is mixed with other suitable solvents. In particular, it is preferably mixed with water, because water is advantageous if the pH shall be raised after the hydrogenation is complete in order to isolate the oxycodone as its free base. Preferably, said glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. Other suitable solvents for the process according to the present invention include or consist of, e.g., methanol, tetrahydrofuran, isopropanol, acetone, ethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, tert-amyl alcohol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, n-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, isopropyl acetate, and di(ethylene glycol) or a mixture of water with any one of the foregoing, or consist of water; preferably, the other suitable solvents include or consist of methanol, tetrahydrofuran, isopropanol, acetone, ethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, tert-amyl alcohol, or a mixture of water with any one of the foregoing, or consist of water.

Water or a mixture of water with any of the foregoing solvents, in particular with the foregoing glycol, is preferred.

In certain embodiments, the suitable solvent is a 20:80 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 30:70 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 40:60 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 50:50 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 60:40 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 70:30 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 80:20 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 90:10 ethylene glycol:water mixture, 100:0 ethylene glycol:water mixture, a 20:80 propylene glycol:water mixture, 30:70 propylene glycol:water mixture, 40:60 propylene glycol:water mixture, 50:50 propylene glycol:water mixture, 60:40 propylene glycol:water mixture, 70:30 propylene glycol:water mixture, 80:20 propylene glycol:water mixture, 90:10 propylene glycol:water mixture, 100:0 propylene glycol:water mixture, a 50:50 methanol:water mixture, 60:40 methanol:water mixture, 70:30 methanol:water mixture, 80:20 methanol:water mixture, 90:10 methanol:water mixture, 100:0 methanol:water mixture, 50:50 ethanol:water mixture, 60:40 ethanol:water mixture, 70:30 ethanol:water mixture, 80:20 ethanol:water mixture, 90:10 ethanol:water mixture, 100:0 ethanol:water mixture, 90:10 tetrahydrofuran:water mixture, 100:0 tetrahydrofuran:water mixture, 90:10 isopropanol:water mixture, 70:30 acetone:water mixture, 80:20 acetone:water, or 90:10 acetone:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone is more soluble in these mixtures than oxycodone base and therefore may remain in solution while the oxycodone free base may be precipitated by addition of a base at the end of the hydrogenation.

In certain preferred embodiments, the suitable solvent comprises or consists of a mixture of glycol and water. Preferably, said glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof. More preferably, the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

In certain embodiments, the suitable solvent comprises or consists of a mixture of ethylene glycol and water.

In certain embodiments, the suitable solvent comprises or consists of a mixture of propylene glycol and water.

It is preferable to have more water than glycol in the hydrogenation reaction mixture. I.e., a glycol:water mixture containing less than 50 parts glycol per 50 parts of water is preferred. Preferred mixtures are 30:70 glycol:water mixtures, 35:65 glycol:water mixtures, 40:60 glycol:water mixtures, and 45:55 glycol:water mixtures, and ratios between these ratios, The preferred range is from 20:80 to less than 50:50 glycol:water mixtures, more preferably from 30:70 to 45:55 glycol:water mixtures, and more preferably from 35:65 to 45:55 glycol:water mixtures. In particular, mixtures of about 40:60 glycol:water are preferred. Especially preferred are mixtures of from 35:65 to 45:55, preferably about 40:60 ethylene glycol:water, or of from 35:65 to 45:55, preferably about 40:60 propylene glycol:water.

In certain embodiments, the suitable solvent used in step (a) comprises or consists of water and the glycol is added in step (b). In certain other embodiments, both glycol and water are added simultaneously (either separately or as mixture) to the reaction mixture at the beginning of the hydrogenation process; in said embodiments, the solution or suspension of step (a) is provided by using the glycol of step (b) as solvent.

Once the hydrogenation is completed, the oxycodone may be precipitated as its free base or a salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone is precipitated as its salt or a solvate thereof. In said salt, the anion may be trifluoroacetate, or the same X^(n−) as in the starting material 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, or a mixture thereof.

Preferably, the oxycodone is precipitated as its free base, in particular by step (d):

(d) adding a base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof.

Said step (d) is combined with steps (a) to (c) in a preferred process according to the present invention, and said preferred process either comprises steps (a) to (d) or consists of steps (a) to (d). Without being bound by theory, it is assumed that the combination of the precipitation and isolation step (d) with the hydrogenation reaction of steps (a) to (c) gives the best results, i.e. results in the lowest amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and 14-hydroxycodeinone in the final oxycodone base.

The pH where the oxycodone precipitates can be determined by routine measures. However, it is generally in the range from 8.5 to 9.2, preferably at about 9.0.

The base added in step (d) may be any Bronsted base, provided that its components do not form an insoluble salt with other components of the reaction mixture. The base is preferably selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, NaHCO₃, KHCO₃, HCO₂Na, CH₃CO₂Na, NEt₃, NH₄OH or any mixtures thereof. More preferably, it is a base containing hydroxide as anion, even more preferably it is an alkali hydroxide or pseudo-alkali hydroxide. Even more preferably, it is ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, and most preferably it is sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is preferably used, because the resulting precipitate shows a better behavior in subsequent reactions than the precipitate resulting from ammonium hydroxide. Ammonium hydroxide forms ammonium sulfate or ammonium trifluoroacetate salts that might precipitate with the oxycodone base. These ammonium salts can interfere, e.g., with the conversion of oxycodone to naloxone. It is believed that they react with N-demethylation agents. The product resulting from sodium hydroxide has less impact on further conversions of oxycodone base.

The amount of base added in step (d) has to be sufficient to achieve precipitation of the oxycodone in its free base form. Thus, it is preferably in the range from 0.5 to 2.0 molar equivalents, more preferably from 0.8 to 1.7 equivalents, even more preferably from 1.1 to 1.4 molar equivalents relative to the oxycodone base. From 1.2 to 1.3 molar equivalents base are particularly preferred. Preferably, said base is sodium hydroxide.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof is enhanced by one or more of the following:

(i) adjusting (e.g., lowering) the temperature of the reaction mixture to the precipitation temperature; (ii) addition of an antisolvent; (iii) addition of a seed crystal; (iv) changing the ionic strength of the reaction mixture (e.g., by addition of a salt); (v) concentrating the reaction mixture; (vi) reducing or stopping agitation of the reaction mixture; or any other conventional method for initiating or enhancing precipitation or crystallization.

When the temperature is adjusted to the precipitation temperature, this means that the precipitation of the oxycodone base or salt or solvate thereof is initiated and/or enhanced by adjusting the temperature of the reaction mixture to or beyond a temperature at which said compound precipitates (“precipitation temperature”). The temperature is either adjusted by performing the reaction at the precipitation temperature, or by lowering the temperature of the reaction mixture during the reaction or after completion of the reaction.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is adjusted to a temperature of ≤40° C. to initiate precipitation, i.e. the precipitation temperature is ≤40° C. In certain embodiments, the precipitation is initiated at a precipitation temperature of about −20° C., about −15° C., about −10° C., about −5° C., about 0° C., about 5° C., about 10° C., about 15° C., about 17° C., about 19° C., about 21° C., about 23° C., about 25° C., about 27° C., about 29° C., about 31° C., about 33° C., about 35° C., about 37° C., or about 40° C.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation temperature is in a range of from about −20° C. to about 40° C., preferably from about −10° C. to about 40° C., more preferably from about −5° C. to about 35° C.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation temperature is in a range of from about −10° C. to about 30° C., preferably from about −5° C. to about 25° C., more preferably from about −0° C. to about 22° C., more preferably from about 5° C. to about 22° C.

In certain embodiments, an antisolvent is used in addition to adjusting the temperature to the precipitation temperature. Generally, however, precipitation will also occur without adding an antisolvent.

Precipitation may also be achieved or enhanced by adding an antisolvent to a solution of the oxycodone or oxycodone salt, or by preparing a supersaturated solution (e.g. by cooling or concentrating a reaction mixture) from which the resulting oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof is precipitated, e.g. by cooling beyond the precipitation temperature or by adding a seed crystal. The precipitated solids are then optionally washed and dried. In one aspect, this precipitation may be achieved by adding one or more of acetone, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-butanol, and tert-butyl methyl ether to a reaction mixture. In a specific embodiment, tert-butyl methyl ether is added to a reaction mixture which already may comprise water (which may be the sole solvent in the reaction mixture). In another specific embodiment, 2-butanol is added to a reaction mixture which already may comprise water. In one aspect, this precipitation may be achieved by using a mixture of water and an antisolvent, in particular a mixture of water, or a mixture of water and tert-butyl methyl ether, or a mixture of water, tetrahydrofuran, and tert-butyl methyl ether. Said mixture may replace the reaction solvent after completion of the hydrogenation reaction. The mixture can also be prepared by adding antisolvent after completion of the hydrogenation reaction. 2-Butanol is the most preferred antisolvent.

Further suitable antisolvents may be the antisolvents described in Section IV. I.e., a suitable antisolvent may comprise or consist of tert-butyl methyl ether, diethyl ether, hexane(s), tert-amyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, tert-butanol, isobutanol, heptanes, xylenes, toluene, acetone, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, dichloromethane, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 1,4-dioxane, methyl formate, methyl acetate, or a mixture of two or more of any of the foregoing. The listed alcohols and ethers are the preferred antisolvents, the alcohols being even more preferred. In some preferred embodiments, the antisolvent is isopropanol or 2-butanol. The most preferred antisolvent is 2-butanol.

The resulting precipitate may then be isolated, thus removing it from the mother liquor and advantageously further purifying the free base from 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone which remains in the mother liquor.

Preferably, the oxycodone is isolated as its free base. The resulting oxycodone in its form as free base comprises lower amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone (or salt or solvate thereof) as compared to oxycodone made by a process which does not involve the hydrogenation according to the present invention.

Oxycodone and compositions comprising said oxycodone which can be prepared via the process of present invention are described, e.g., in Section VI below. The amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and 14-hydroxycodeinone which may be present in the compositions comprising the oxycodone are described in Section VI below. In certain embodiments, this oxycodone or these compositions comprising the oxycodone are the product of the process described in the present section or in the subsequent Section III.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprising the oxycodone which are the product of the process described in the present section or in the subsequent Section III can be used as pharmaceutical compositions without further processing or purification steps, in particular without further hydrogenation steps.

In certain embodiments of this process, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate or a solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments of this process, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone trifluoroacetate or a solvate thereof.

III. Processes for Preparing Oxycodone Starting from Thebaine

Present invention further provides a process for preparing oxycodone from thebaine via a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. In this process, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof serves as an intermediate. Said intermediate 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof may either be isolated or converted to oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof without further isolation. In certain preferred embodiments, said intermediate 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is isolated before its conversion to the oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof.

Thus, present invention provides a process for preparing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof from thebaine or a salt or solvate thereof, the process comprising or consisting of (Scheme 12):

(aa) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; (bb) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction; (cc) optionally precipitating the resulting 14-hydroxycodeinone as 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (dd) optionally isolating the precipitated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol, preferably trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol; and (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, thus reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone to oxycodone, wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is precipitated and/or isolated in steps (cc) and/or (dd) before the hydrogenation via steps (a) to (c).

In certain embodiments, said process will contain a further step, namely (d) adding a base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof. See above, Section II.

In certain embodiments, step (c) of the process results in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the oxycodone. In certain embodiments, step (c) of the process results not only in such pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the oxycodone, but the complete resulting composition can be used as pharmaceutical composition without requiring further processing (e.g., purification). In particular, it may be used without an additional hydrogenation to remove by-products, e.g., 14-hydroxycodeinone. For example, the process may result in an oxycodone salt composition which is suitable for incorporation into a dosage form, the oxycodone salt composition being directly prepared from the hydrogenation product of step (c) by a conversion which does not include a further/additional hydrogenation step.

In certain embodiments, the salt or solvate of oxycodone which results from step (c) is not a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof resulting from step (c) may be converted into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof in an additional step at the end of the process. Methods for such conversion are known in the art (e.g., anion exchange).

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof which is an intermediate of the process will have the properties as described in Section IV of PCT/IB2013/001538.

All elements of steps (a) to (d) of said process and the embodiments of said elements have already been described above. All elements of steps (aa) to (dd) of said process and the embodiments of said elements have already been described in PCT/IB2013/001538 (as steps (a) to (d) in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538). Oxycodone which can be prepared via the process, and the amounts of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and 14-hydroxycodeinone which may be present in compositions comprising said oxycodone are described in Section VI below. In certain embodiments, these compounds are the product of the process described in the present section.

In the following, an exemplary embodiment of said process will be described. Therein the starting compound for the oxidation reaction is thebaine or a salt or solvate thereof,

the oxidation agent comprises or is performic acid formed in situ from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) in step (bb) is sulfuric acid which is added to the reaction mixture, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate or a solvate thereof, and the product is oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the oxycodone is precipitated and isolated as its free base.

IV. Processes for Preparing a 14-Hydroxycodeinone Salt

A 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, the starting material for the process according to the present invention, can be prepared according to the processes for preparing a compound of formula V described in Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538. The contents of this Section II of PCT/IB2013/001538 are explicitly incorporated herein by reference.

Hence, in certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof

can be prepared from thebaine or a salt or solvate thereof, the process comprising:

(aa) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; and (bb) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction, wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above.

In a preferred embodiment, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added to the reaction mixture before or during the oxidation reaction. More preferably, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is present in the reaction mixture during the complete oxidation reaction, i.e. it is added before the start of the oxidation reaction, or at the start of the oxidation reaction.

In addition to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, the oxidation of thebaine may generate 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof. The 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be formed as follows:

The use of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof as starting material in the hydrogenation process of the present invention can reduce the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone which is present at the beginning of the hydrogenation, as compared to a process for preparation of oxycodone without involving the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

The formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt and the isolation of the precipitated salt appear to prevent or reduce (i) the formation of 8-hydroxyoxycodone during oxidation of thebaine, as compared to processes which do not involve the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, (ii) the presence of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in a composition comprising oxycodone base made via a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, and (iii) the presence of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt thereof and 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt thereof in an oxycodone salt or in a pharmaceutical composition comprising an oxycodone salt made via a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

Pharmaceutical compositions prepared by processes of the present invention may be quantitatively different from pharmaceutical compositions prepared by conventional processes which do not utilize the hydrogenation reaction conditions of the present invention, and may offer advantages over the compositions prepared by conventional processes, e.g., in terms of safety, efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs. For example, these compositions may contain less by-products and/or require less or no further processing steps after synthesis of their API.

An exemplary embodiment of a process for preparing a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a process for preparing 14-hydroxycodeinone as its sulfate salt (or a solvate thereof), which encompasses the oxidation of thebaine illustrated in Scheme 13:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is

(14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate) or a solvate thereof.

As described above, 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be converted to 14-hydroxycodeinone during further processing of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt to oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof. If less 8-hydroxyoxycodone is formed during the oxidation reaction, less 8-hydroxyoxycodone and ultimately less 14-hydroxycodeinone may finally be present in oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride) made via or from the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof, as compared to oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof made via a different intermediate. Less 8-hydroxyoxycodone and ultimately less 14-hydroxycodeinone may then also finally be present in a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form containing said oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Ultimately, the use of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt as starting material for the hydrogenation process of the present invention may therefore contribute to the result that the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone and 14-hydroxycodeinone formed during preparation of oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof is insufficient to increase the total amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone in said oxycodone above an undesired level, e.g., above the threshold amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone as defined above.

In certain embodiments, the oxidation step (aa) is partially or completely performed in the presence of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) in the reaction mixture. That is, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added before or during the oxidation reaction, preferably before the oxidation reaction. The acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is preferably present in the reaction mixture during the complete oxidation reaction, i.e. it is added before the start of the oxidation reaction, or at the start of the oxidation reaction.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may precipitate in certain embodiments of the oxidation reaction.

The formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may occur via a salt formed from the thebaine, via 14-hydroxycodeinone in its free base form or in its salt or solvate form, via both of said routes, or via a combination of one or both of said routes with other reaction routes known to a person skilled in the art. During this reaction, at least a part or all of the thebaine and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone are protonated. This may happen, e.g., under acidic reaction conditions.

In certain embodiments of the oxidation reaction, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof in this process allows for a more volume efficient oxidation of the thebaine in comparison to a process wherein no 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is formed.

In certain embodiments of the oxidation reaction, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt results in a lower ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone to the 14-hydroxycodeinone in the product, as compared to a process wherein no 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is formed.

In certain embodiments of the oxidation reaction, said result may be achieved because the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof has the effect that less 8-hydroxy compound is formed during the oxidation reaction in comparison to an oxidation reaction where no 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is formed. In other words, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt allows for an improvement of the by-product profile of the reaction product.

In these embodiments, the oxidation reaction is typically completely or partially performed in the presence of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−).

One example for such embodiment may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, wherein n is 2 and preferably wherein X^(n−) is sulfate. Another example for such embodiment may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, wherein n is 1 and preferably wherein X^(n−) is trifluoroacetate. Another example for such embodiment may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, wherein n is 3 and preferably wherein X^(n−) is phosphate.

In certain embodiments of the oxidation reaction said result may be achieved because the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof has the effect that 8-hydroxyoxycodone can be separated from the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof, e.g., by precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof from the reaction mixture. One example for such an embodiment may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein X^(n−) is sulfate.

In certain embodiments a combination of these effects takes place, i.e., said result is achieved because both less 8-hydroxyoxycodone is formed during the oxidation and because said compound can be separated from the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof. One example for such an embodiment may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein X^(n−) is sulfate.

Preferably, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof reduces the formation of 8-hydroxy compounds during the oxidation reaction and/or the presence of 8-hydroxy compounds in the oxidation product, as compared to an oxidation reaction which does not involve the step of forming the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. The presence of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the product may be reduced by precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt. This may reduce the formation of 14-hydroxycodeinone during subsequent reactions (e.g., during conversion of oxycodone made from a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt to oxycodone hydrochloride), as compared to reactions which do not involve the step of forming the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof.

The process for preparing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof may be performed by oxidizing thebaine with an oxidizing agent in the presence of one or more acids such that the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is formed. An 8-hydroxy compound or a salt or solvate thereof may be formed as by-product during the oxidation. At the end of the preparation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof, said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may be provided as a solid, a solution, or a suspension. The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof is the starting material or intermediate for the hydrogenation process of the present invention, i.e., the process for preparing oxycodone or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof. The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt and the solvate thereof will be described in more detail below. However, the subsequent description of the oxidation process shall also apply to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt and the solvate thereof per se where applicable (e.g., when the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is described as a reaction product of such oxidation process).

The process step for preparing said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is depicted in the following Scheme 14:

In certain embodiments of this process, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is sulfuric acid.

The process for preparing a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may be performed as one-pot-reaction, wherein steps (aa) and (bb) are performed concomitantly. In said one-pot-reaction, at least a part of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is typically added before the oxidizing agent, or concomitantly with the oxidizing agent. In certain embodiments, all of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added before the oxidizing agent, or concomitantly with the oxidizing agent.

An exemplary one-pot reaction for forming a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, namely 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, is depicted in Scheme 15:

In the oxidation reaction depicted in this Scheme, a peracid formed from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid is used as at least one oxidizing agent, and sulfuric acid is used as the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−). It should be noted that it is not excluded that at least part of the sulfuric acid also forms a peracid in the presence of the hydrogen peroxide, which peroxide may also take part in the oxidation reaction.

The reaction conditions of steps (aa) and (bb) (e.g., time, temperature, pH, relative proportions of the reagents) will be described in detail in the following. In a typical embodiment of the present invention, they are adjusted such that the resulting product containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is free from, or contains about 2500 ppm or less, about 2000 ppm or less, about 1500 ppm or less, about 1000 ppm or less, about 500 ppm or less, or about 100 ppm or less of 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

Oxidation Reaction

The oxidation reaction of step (aa) of the process is represented in Scheme 16 and results in the formation of 14-hydroxycodeinone, which in turn is part of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt:

The oxidation reaction of step (aa) is generally run until at least about 90%, about 92%, about 95%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99% or about 100% of the thebaine is consumed by the reaction. The amount of said compound remaining in the reaction may be determined by any conventional determination method, e.g., by HPLC, for example the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011).

The oxidizing reaction time can be anywhere from about 1 minute to about 36 hours, from about 10 minutes to about 34 hours, from about 20 minutes to about 32 hours, from about 30 minutes to about 30 hours, from about 45 minutes to about 28 hours, from about 1 hour to about 24 hours, from about 3 hours to about 21 hours, from about 5 hours to about 18 hours. In certain embodiments, the reaction time is about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 5 hours, about 6 hours, about 7 hours, about 8 hours, about 9 hours, about 10 hours, about 11 hours, about 12 hours, about 13 hours, about 14 hours, about 15 hours, about 16 hours, about 17 hours, about 18 hours, about 19 hours, about 20 hours, about 21 hours, about 22 hours, about 23 hours, or about 24 hours.

The reaction mixture may be maintained at a temperature of from about 0° C. to about 100° C., from about 10° C. to about 90° C., from about 15° C. to about 80° C., from about 20° C. to about 70° C., from about 20° C. to about 60° C., from about 20° C. to about 55° C., from about 20° C. to about 45° C., from about 20° C. to about 40° C., or from about 20° C. to about 35° C.

In certain embodiments, e.g., in a reaction conducted in a flow reactor, the reaction mixture may be maintained at a temperature as listed in the preceding sentence, or it may be maintained at a temperature exceeding some of the upper temperature limits of the preceding sentence, e.g., at a temperature of from about 40° C. to about 95° C.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is maintained at from about 20° C. to about 45° C., preferably from about 25° C. to about 40° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is maintained more preferably at from about 25° C. to about 35° C., even more preferably at about 30° C.

Typically, the oxidation of the thebaine during step (aa) is taking place in the presence of an oxidizing agent. Said oxidizing agent is either added to the reaction mixture, or it is formed in situ in the reaction mixture (e.g., performic acid may be formed in situ in a reaction mixture comprising formic acid and hydrogen peroxide). The thebaine is then oxidized to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt, which will result when the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is present.

The thebaine may be provided for step (aa) in a solution or suspension comprising the thebaine and a suitable solvent. A suitable solvent may comprise or consist of water; an alcohol (e.g., methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, tert-amyl alcohol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, etc.); an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylol, etc.); an ether (e.g., 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, diethylether, tert-butyl methyl ether, etc.); a (C₁₋C₄) alkyl ester of a (C₁-C₄) alkanoic acid (e.g., methyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, etc.); an amide (e.g., dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, or other N—(C₁-C₄) alkyl substituted (C₁-C₄) alkanoic acid amides); N-methylpyrrolidone; formylmorpholine; or any mixtures of any of the foregoing. In certain embodiments, the reagent providing an acid for the process (e.g., 88% formic acid in water), or the acid itself can act as solvent. In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises or consists of water, an ether, an alcohol, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises or consists of methanol, tetrahydrofuran, n-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, acetone, ethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, tert-amyl alcohol, or a mixture of water with any one of the foregoing. In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises or consists of tetrahydrofuran, isopropanol, methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, tert-amyl alcohol, n-propanol or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the solvent is water or a combination of water with another solvent. In certain embodiments, the solvent is isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and water. In certain embodiments, the solvent is 2-butanol or a mixture of 2-butanol and water. In certain other embodiments, the solvent is free or substantially free from water (e.g., when the reaction is performed in chloroform using MCPBA as oxidizing agent). In certain preferred embodiments, the solvent comprises or consists of water.

The ratio of the thebaine to the solvent is selected such that the thebaine is dissolved in the solvent, i.e. such that a suspension or preferably a solution of the thebaine is formed. If the oxidizing agent contains or is generated with an acid which acts as a solvent (e.g., formic acid), or if the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) acts as a solvent, said acid contributes to the total amount of solvent in the reaction mixture or is the sole solvent in the reaction mixture. The ratio of the thebaine (in mmol) to the solvent (in mL) may be defined as molarity by the following formula:

molarity=(mmol of thebaine)/(milliliters of solvent).

For example, when 33.7 mmol of thebaine and 23.6 mL water plus formic acid are used, this results in a molarity of 1.43 (33.7/23.6). In the present process, the molarity of the thebaine in relation to the solvent is preferably ≥0.8. In certain embodiments, the molarity is from 0.8 to 1.8, preferably from 1.2 to 1.7, more preferably from 1.2 to 1.6 and even more preferably from 1.3 to 1.5. In comparison, in WO 2008/130553, the molarity is 0.67 ((10 mmol thebaine)/(15 mL water plus formic acid)). The less solvent is used, the more volume efficient steps (aa) and (bb) may be if the process yield remains constant. Thus, this process allows for the use of less solvent, which in turn may reduce the environmental burden and/or production costs.

In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises or consists of water, e.g. in the oxidation reactions described in the Examples. The ratio of the thebaine (in mmol) to water (in mL) in said embodiments is preferably from about 1:1 to about 5:1, more preferably from about 1.2:1 to about 4:1, more preferably from about 1.5:1 to about 3:1, more preferably from about 1.6:1 to about 2.4:1, even more preferably from about 1.7:1 to about 2.2:1. E.g., in a preferred embodiment, from about 1.5 mL to about 2.0 mL, preferably from about 1.6 to about 1.9 mL water per g thebaine are used. This calculation does not take into account water contained in one of the acids or other reagents (in particular, hydrogen peroxide) used in the oxidation reaction.

Before the oxidation reaction is initiated (e.g., by adding or generating an oxidizing agent), the thebaine may be present in any percentage of the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, it is present in a starting amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 35%, from about 20 to about 33%, or from about 20% to about 30% per weight of the complete reaction mixture. In certain preferred embodiments, the thebaine comprises from about 20 to about 33% of the reaction mixture by weight. In certain preferred embodiments, the thebaine comprises from about 20% to about 30% of the reaction mixture by weight. As the oxidation takes place, the concentration of the thebaine decreases and may finally approach 0%.

The oxidizing agent may be a peracid, a peroxide (which encompasses hydrogen peroxide and peroxide salts), a periodinane, singlet oxygen or any combination thereof. For example, an oxidizing agent may be hydrogen peroxide, potassium peroxymonosulfate (e.g., OXONE®), performic acid, peracetic acid (AcOOH), persulfuric acid, m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA), trifluoro peracetic acid, singlet oxygen, iodosylbenzene, K₂O₂, Na₂O₂, Li₂O₂, Cs₂O₂, Cs₂O₂, K₂SO₅, NaSO₅, or an appropriate mixture of any two or more of the foregoing. Said oxidizing agent may be either generated in situ in the reaction mixture (e.g., performic acid from hydrogen peroxide and an acid), or it may be added to the reaction mixture (e.g., MCPBA).

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing agent is a peracid. Said peracid may either be generated in situ in the reaction mixture from hydrogen peroxide and an acid or from another combination of reagents leading to the formation of a peracid (e.g., from a peroxide salt and an acid), or it may be added to the reaction mixture (e.g., MCPBA, or a peracid generated ex situ, i.e. separately from the reaction mixture before its addition to the reaction mixture). If the peracid is generated in situ, the peroxide may be added after the acid and/or at a pH of the reaction mixture which is less than 7.

In certain embodiments, the peracid may be performic acid, peracetic acid, MCPBA, potassium peroxymonosulfate (which contains one peracid group), trifluoro peracetic acid, persulfuric acid, or a combination of any two or more thereof. When said peracid is generated in situ, the corresponding starting acid is formic acid, acetic acid, 3-chlorobenzoic acid, potassium monosulfate, trifluoroacetic acid, sulfuric acid, or a mixture of any two or more of the foregoing.

In certain embodiments, the peracid comprises or is performic acid. When the performic acid is generated in situ or ex situ, it is in one embodiment generated from formic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

In certain embodiments, the peracid comprises or is a combination of performic acid and persulfuric acid. When said combination is generated in situ or ex situ, it is in one embodiment generated from formic acid, sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide.

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing agent is or is generated from hydrogen peroxide (e.g., added to the reaction mixture in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, or 70% aqueous solution). In certain embodiments, 35% aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is added to the reaction mixture. In certain embodiments, at the beginning of the reaction, hydrogen peroxide may comprise about 8-10% of the reaction mixture by volume, and, as the oxidation reaction takes place, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide decreases and may even reach 0%.

In general, the oxidizing agent, e.g., a peracid generated from an acid and hydrogen peroxide, is present in an amount of from about 0.8 to about 5 moles per mole of the thebaine. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 2 moles of the oxidizing agent per 1 mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, about 1, about 1.1, about 1.2, about 1.3, about 1.4, about 1.5, about 1.6, about 1.8, or about 1.9 moles of the oxidizing agent per mole of the thebaine are used. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 1.6 moles of the oxidizing agent per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 1.4 moles of the oxidizing agent per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 1.25 moles of the oxidizing agent per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1.05 to about 1.15 moles (e.g., 1.05 molar equivalents) of oxidizing agent per mole of the thebaine are used. In embodiments wherein a peracid is generated in situ, the molar amount of the starting component containing the peroxy group (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) is deemed to represent the molar amount of the resulting peracid in the reaction mixture.

In those embodiments wherein the oxidizing agent is a peracid generated in situ from hydrogen peroxide and an acid in the reaction mixture, preferably from about 1 to about 1.6 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 1.5 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 1.25 moles of hydrogen peroxide per mole of the thebaine are utilized. In certain embodiments, from about 1.05 to about 1.15 moles (e.g., 1.05 molar equivalents) of hydrogen peroxide per mole of the thebaine are used.

In those embodiments wherein the oxidizing agent is a peracid generated in situ from hydrogen peroxide and an acid in the reaction mixture, the acid for generating the peracid preferably is or comprises formic acid. This also encompasses processes wherein the peracid is generated from a combination of formic acid and sulfuric acid.

The molar amount of an acid used for generating a peracid in situ may be less than, equal to, or exceeding the molar amount of the thebaine. In certain embodiments, an excess of said acid over the amount of the thebaine will be utilized. In certain embodiments, said acid is used in excess over the amount of the peroxide (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) which is used to generate the peracid. In certain embodiments, the amount of the acid used for generating the peracid (e.g., of formic acid) is from about 0.5 to about 14 molar equivalents per molar equivalent of the thebaine, preferably from about 1 to about 12 molar equivalents, more preferably from about 1 to about 7 molar equivalents, more preferably from about 1.5 to about 6 molar equivalents, more preferably from about 2 to about 5 molar equivalents, more preferably from about 2.5 to about 4.5 molar equivalents, even more preferably from about 2.5 to 4 molar equivalents per molar equivalent of the thebaine.

When an acid is used for generating the oxidizing agent in situ, two acids may be used during a process encompassing steps (aa) and (bb): a first acid (which is used to generate at least a part of the peracid in situ in step (aa)), and a second acid (which is the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) of step (bb), which in certain embodiments may also generate a part of the peracid in situ in step (aa)). The second acid may be added before, simultaneously with, or after addition of the first acid. In certain embodiments, the acids are pre-mixed and the pre-mixture is added to the solution or suspension. In certain embodiments, the first acid and the second acid may each be independently added all at once or in divided portions. In certain embodiments, the first acid is formic acid and the second acid is sulfuric acid.

The acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) of step (bb) may be added as acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) or may be generated in situ in the reaction mixture from a salt containing an anion X^(n−).

The acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) may be added (or generated in situ) before, during or after the oxidation reaction of step (aa), or at any combination of these time points. It may be added once, in several batches or continuously over a certain period of time. It may be added at or during several points in time in relation to the oxidation reaction, e.g., before, during and after the oxidation, or before and during the oxidation reaction. If it is added (or generated) before and/or during the oxidation reaction, the process comprising steps (aa) and (bb) is performed as a one-pot-reaction. Said one-pot-reaction may be more cost-, time- and/or volume-efficient and may therefore be preferred. Especially preferred is a process wherein the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added to (or generated in) the reaction mixture before the oxidation reaction of step (aa).

In certain embodiments, a portion or all of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added after some or substantially all of the thebaine has been oxidized. In certain embodiments, H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is added after substantially all of the thebaine has been consumed.

In certain embodiments, step (bb) of the process is performed by adding H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) (e.g., H₂SO₄) to the reaction mixture.

H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) may be any acid containing an anion X^(n−) as defined herein. It may, for example, be HCl, H₂SO₄ or its monosalt, methanesulfonic acid, tosylic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, H₃PO₄ or one of its mono- or disalts, oxalic acid, perchloric acid, or any mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, it may be HCl, H₂SO₄, methanesulfonic acid, tosylic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, or a mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, it is H₂SO₄, methanesulfonic acid, or trifluoroacetic acid or a mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, it is trifluoroacetic acid. In certain embodiments, it is H₂SO₄. In certain embodiments, it is methanesulfonic acid.

H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) may in certain embodiments be polymer supported if n is 2 or 3.

The molar amount of H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) present in step (bb) may be the same as or different from the molar amount of the thebaine provided for step (aa). For example, in embodiments wherein n is 2, the salt or acid added in step (bb), e.g., H₂SO₄ or a salt thereof, may be added in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 molar equivalents, preferably of from about 0.1 to about 1.2 molar equivalents, more preferably of from about 0.1 to about 1 molar equivalents, even more preferably of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 molar equivalents, even more preferably of from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents, even more preferably of from about 0.45 to about 0.55 molar equivalents or from about 0.5 to about 0.6 molar equivalents per molar equivalent of the thebaine. In certain embodiments wherein n is 2, the salt or acid added in step (bb), e.g., H₂SO₄ or a salt thereof, is added in an amount of about 0.5 to about 0.6 equivalents, e.g. of about 0.51 to about 0.55 molar equivalents per molar equivalent of the thebaine.

In certain embodiments, the amount of H⁺ provided by H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) in step (bb) is in a slight molar excess in comparison to the thebaine. In certain embodiments, the molar amount of H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) present in step (bb) is within a range of about 1/n+10% to about 1/n+20% molar equivalents per one molar equivalent of the thebaine.

In certain embodiments, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is the only acid used during the process encompassing steps (aa) and (bb). In those embodiments where a peracid is used as oxidizing agent, said acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is capable to form a peracid and will be used for generating said peracid.

In certain other embodiments, one or more additional acids are added to the reaction mixture. In those embodiments where a peracid is used as oxidizing agent, there may be used an acid for generating the peracid which is different from the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−). This acid is then an additional acid. In other embodiments, a further additional acid may be added to the reaction mixture in addition to the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) and the acid for generating the peracid. Such further acid may be any remaining acid selected from the acids defined as the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) and as the acid for generating the peracid in the present description, or any mixture of said remaining acids.

The total amount of acid used during steps (aa) and (bb) of the oxidation process is important, because it may influence whether or not the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt precipitates from the reaction mixture during the process. It also determines the amount of base which will be required after completion of the reaction if a neutralization of the reaction mixture is desired. The total amount of acid includes the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) and, if present, the acid used for generating a peracid and any further acid added to the reaction mixture during steps (aa) and (bb). The total amount of acid may range from about 0.6 to about 14.0 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine.

In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 12 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used. In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 10, from about 1 to about 8, from about 1 to about 7, from about 1 to about 6.5, from about 1 to about 6, from about 1 to about 5.5, from about 1 to about 5, from about 1 to about 4.5, from about 1 to about 4, from about 1 to about 3.5, or from about 1.5 to about 3.5 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used.

In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 8 molar equivalents, preferably from about 1 to about 5 molar equivalents, more preferably from about 1.5 to about 4.5 molar equivalents, even more preferably from about 3 to about 4 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used.

In certain embodiments, from about 1.2 to about 4.5 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used.

In certain embodiments where an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) and an acid used for generating the peracid (which is different from H⁺ _(n)X^(n−)) are used, the molar ratio of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the acid used for generating the peracid (e.g., of sulfuric acid to formic acid) is from about 1:20 to about 1:0.5, from about 1:17 to about 1:1, from about 1:15 to about 1:1, from about 1:14 to about 1:1, from about 1:12 to about 1:1, from about 1:10 to about 1:1, from about 1:9 to about 1:2, from about 1:8 to about 1:3, from about 1:7 to about 1:3, from about 1:7 to about 1:5, or a numeric value lying within these ranges. In certain embodiments, the molar ratio of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the acid used for generating the peracid is from about 1:8 to about 1:3, preferably from about 1:7.5 to about 1:4, more preferably from about 1:7 to about 1:5, or a numeric value lying within these ranges.

In certain embodiments, from about 0.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating a peracid per molar equivalent of the compound of formula I are used, and from about 0.1 to about 1.5, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 0.2 to about 0.9, from about 0.25 to about 0.75, from about 0.4 to about 0.6, or from about 0.5 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) per molar equivalent of the compound of formula I are used. In said embodiments, said first acid may be formic acid, and said second acid may be sulfuric acid.

In certain embodiments, from about 0.5 to about 3.5 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating a peracid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used, and from about 0.1 to about 1.5, from about 0.1 to about 1, from about 0.2 to about 0.9, from about 0.25 to about 0.75, from about 0.4 to about 0.6, or from about 0.5 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used. In said embodiments, said first acid may be formic acid, and said second acid may be sulfuric acid.

In certain embodiments, from about 1 to about 3 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating a peracid per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used, and from about 0.4 to about 0.6, or from about 0.5 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) per molar equivalent of the thebaine are used. In said embodiments, said first acid may be formic acid, and said second acid may be sulfuric acid.

In a preferred embodiment utilizing formic acid and sulfuric acid, the oxidation is performed by oxidizing the thebaine in the presence of about 12 molar equivalents or less, about 10 molar equivalents or less, about 8 molar equivalents or less, about 7 molar equivalents or less, about 6 molar equivalents or less, about 5 molar equivalents or less, about 4 molar equivalents or less, about 3 molar equivalents or less, about 2 molar equivalents or less, or about 1 molar equivalents (e.g., 1.05 molar equivalents) or less of total acid per one molar equivalent of the thebaine, wherein from about 0.1 to about 1.5 molar equivalents of total acid comes from the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−). In one particular embodiment, the thebaine is oxidized to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt by exposing each molar equivalent of the thebaine to (i) from about 1.0 to about 1.6 molar equivalents of hydrogen peroxide, (ii) from about 0.3 to about 9, from about 0.5 to about 8, or from about 0.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating the peracid, and (iii) from about 0.1 to about 1.5, from about 0.25 to about 0.9, or from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−). In certain embodiments, from about 2.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating the peracid per one molar equivalent of the thebaine are used. In certain embodiments, from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−), and from about 2.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating the peracid are used. In certain embodiments, from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−), and from about 1 to about 3 molar equivalents of the acid used for generating the peracid are used. In certain embodiments, conducting the oxidation reaction under these conditions may improve the volume efficiency of the reaction and may reduce the number and amounts of by-products formed during the oxidation reaction.

In certain embodiments, a portion or all of the H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) (e.g., H₂SO₄) is added to the reaction mixture before the acid or the peroxide used for generating the peracid is added, or at the same point in time.

In certain embodiments, H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) (e.g., H₂SO₄) is added after the acid used for generating the peracid (e.g., formic acid). In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture may already comprise formic acid, and sulfuric acid is then added.

In preferred embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is precipitated from the reaction mixture, either because the presence of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) (e.g., H₂SO₄) induces the precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof during the oxidation reaction, or because in addition to said presence the precipitation is started or enhanced by other measures, e.g., by adjusting the temperature of the solution and/or adding a suitable antisolvent to the solution, as described in more detail below. In certain embodiments, precipitation is achieved by adding a suitable antisolvent. In certain embodiments, precipitation is achieved by lowering the temperature below the reaction temperature of the oxidation reaction.

The reaction steps (aa) and (bb) are typically performed in a solvent. The amount of said solvent is described above with regard to molarity.

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing agent is or comprises performic acid generated, e.g., from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, and the solvent is an alcohol, a mixture of two or more alcohols, or a mixture of an alcohol and water. The solvent may be methanol or a mixture of methanol and water. The solvent may be isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and water. The solvent may be water.

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing agent is or comprises performic acid and persulfuric acid generated, e.g., from hydrogen peroxide and formic acid and sulfuric acid, and the solvent is an alcohol, a mixture of two or more alcohols, or a mixture of an alcohol and water. The solvent may be methanol or a mixture of methanol and water. The solvent may be isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and water. The solvent may be water.

In certain embodiments, the oxidizing agent is or comprises peracetic acid, and the solvent is water, an alcohol, a mixture of two or more alcohols, or a mixture of an alcohol and water.

In certain embodiments, step (aa) is performed with an oxidizing agent formed from an acid and hydrogen peroxide. In certain embodiments, the amount of total acid present in the reaction mixture is about 12 molar equivalents or less, about 10 molar equivalents or less, about 8 molar equivalents or less, about 7 molar equivalents or less, about 6 molar equivalents or less, about 5 molar equivalents or less, about 4 molar equivalents or less, about 3 molar equivalents or less, about 2 molar equivalents or less, or about 1 molar equivalents (e.g., 1.05 molar equivalents) or less per molar equivalent of thebaine. In one particular embodiment, the thebaine is oxidized to the 14-hydroxycodeinone by exposing each molar equivalent of the thebaine to from about 1.0 to about 1.6 molar equivalents of hydrogen peroxide, from about 0.3 to about 9 molar equivalents, or from about 0.5 to about 8 molar equivalents of formic acid, and from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of sulfuric acid. In certain embodiments, from about 0.5 to about 5 molar equivalents of formic acid per one molar equivalent of thebaine are used. In certain embodiments, from about 2.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of formic acid per one molar equivalent of thebaine are used. In certain embodiments, from about 2.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of formic acid per one molar equivalent of thebaine are used.

In certain embodiments, the oxidation process is performed by: (i) forming a solution or a suspension comprising thebaine and from about 1.5 to about 4 molar equivalents of a first acid (e.g., formic acid) per molar equivalent of thebaine, (ii) adding from about 0.4 to about 0.6 molar equivalents of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) (e.g., sulfuric acid) per molar equivalent of thebaine to the solution or the suspension, (iii) adding from about 1 to about 1.6 molar equivalents of hydrogen peroxide to the solution or the suspension from (ii), and (iv) precipitating the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt from the solution or suspension (e.g., by adjusting the temperature of the solution and/or adding a suitable antisolvent to the solution, as described in more detail below). In certain embodiments, precipitation is achieved by adding a suitable antisolvent. In certain embodiments, precipitation is achieved by lowering the temperature below the reaction temperature of the oxidation reaction.

In certain embodiments, the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxidation reaction product containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is less than about 2500 ppm, less than about 2000 ppm, less than about 1500 ppm, less than about 1000 ppm, less than about 500 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, or less than about 1 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone. In certain embodiments, the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the reaction product containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is the amount described in Section V. In certain embodiments, the oxidation reaction product is free from 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

In certain embodiments, thebaine is oxidized to 14-hydroxycodeinone, wherein the reaction mixture comprises more than one acid (e.g., two acids), and comprises less than about 14 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of thebaine (e.g., from about 0.5 to about 11, from about 1 to about 10.5, or from about 1.5 to about 5 molar equivalents of acid per molar equivalent of thebaine).

In certain embodiments of the process, thebaine is oxidized to 14-hydroxycodeinone in a solution or suspension containing a mixture of formic acid and sulfuric acid, the mixture comprising not more than about 14 molar equivalents of total acid per one molar equivalent of thebaine (e.g., from about 0.5 to about 11, from about 1 to about 10.5, or from about 1.5 to about 5 molar equivalents of acid per one molar equivalent of thebaine).

There are also alternative ways to perform step (bb) than by adding H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture. In step (bb) of the process, the H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) can be generated by adding a salt containing X^(n−). Said salt may have the formula

M^(m+)(H⁺)_((n-m))X^(n−), or M^(m+) _(((n−1)/m))(H⁺)_(l)X^(n−), wherein

M^(m+) is a monovalent or polyvalent metal cation; m and n are independently from each other an integer selected from 1, 2, and 3, provided that m is ≤n; and l is an integer selected from 0, 1, and 2, provided that l<n.

The metal cation may be an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation or a Group III cation. Exemplary cations are Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺. Exemplary salts are NaHSO₄, KHSO₄, Na₂SO₄, K₂SO₄, NaH₂PO₄, Na₂HPO₄, Na₃PO₄, KH₂PO₄, K₂HPO₄, K₃PO₄.

The oxidation reaction may be prepared in any suitable reaction vessel. In certain embodiments, the reaction vessel is a flow reactor. In certain other embodiments, the reaction vessel is not a flow reactor. In certain embodiments, the reaction vessel is a continuous flow reactor. In certain other embodiments, the reaction vessel is not a continuous flow reactor.

Precipitation and/or Isolation of the 14-Hydroxycodeinone Salt

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof may be provided as a solid, or in solution or suspension as a result of the oxidation process encompassing steps (aa) and (bb). In certain preferred embodiments, the process is performed under conditions wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof is insoluble in the reaction mixture. In these embodiments, the process may comprise an additional step (cc) of precipitating the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof from the reaction mixture.

As already pointed out in the Definitions section, “precipitating” encompasses “crystallizing” unless stated otherwise.

The precipitation may start as soon as H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is present in the reaction mixture (e.g., after addition of an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−)), or it may start at a later point in time. In other words, it may take place during and/or after the oxidation reaction.

The precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof may be caused by the presence of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) in the reaction mixture. It may be enhanced by adding an additional amount of the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) or the salt containing X^(n−) to the reaction mixture during step (bb).

In certain embodiments, the precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof may require the cooling of the reaction mixture and/or the addition of an antisolvent.

In certain embodiments wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof precipitates from the reaction mixture, the acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) is H₂SO₄ or its monosalt, methanesulfonic acid, tosylic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, H₃PO₄ or one of its mono- or disalts, oxalic acid, perchloric acid, or any mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, it may be H₂SO₄, methanesulfonic acid, tosylic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, or a mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, it is H₂SO₄, methanesulfonic acid, or trifluoroacetic acid or a mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, it is trifluoroacetic acid. In certain embodiments, it is H₂SO₄. In certain embodiments, it is methanesulfonic acid. Preferably, it is H₂SO₄.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof, once precipitated, may either be isolated (i.e. separated from the reaction mixture), or it may be converted without preceding isolation to oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof. Preferably, it is isolated before the hydrogenation process of the present invention is performed.

Precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may be influenced by the molar ratio of the anion X^(n−) to the thebaine (see above), by the amount of total acid present during the oxidation reaction (as compared to molar equivalents of the thebaine), by the temperature before, during or after the oxidation reaction, by the kind and amount of solvent (e.g., water) present in the reaction mixture, by the presence of an antisolvent added to the reaction mixture, by the rate at which the reactants are added during the process to the reaction mixture, or by a combination of any of the foregoing.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof is initiated and/or enhanced by one or more of the following:

(i) adjusting (e.g., lowering) the temperature of the reaction mixture to the precipitation temperature; (ii) addition of an antisolvent; (iii) addition of a seed crystal; (iv) lowering the pH; (v) changing the ionic strength of the reaction mixture (e.g., by addition of a salt); (vi) concentrating the reaction mixture; (vii) reducing or stopping agitation of the reaction mixture; or any other conventional method for initiating or enhancing precipitation or crystallization.

When the temperature is adjusted to the precipitation temperature, this means that the precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is initiated and/or enhanced by adjusting the temperature of the reaction mixture to or beyond a temperature at which said compound precipitates (“precipitation temperature”). The temperature is either adjusted by performing the oxidation reaction at the precipitation temperature, or by lowering the temperature of the reaction mixture during the reaction or after completion of the reaction.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is adjusted to a temperature of ≤40° C. to initiate precipitation, i.e. the precipitation temperature is ≤40° C. In certain embodiments, the precipitation is initiated at a precipitation temperature of about −20° C., about −15° C., about −10° C., about −5° C., about 0° C., about 5° C., about 10° C., about 15° C., about 17° C., about 19° C., about 21° C., about 23° C., about 25° C., about 27° C., about 29° C., about 31° C., about 33° C., about 35° C., about 37° C., or about 40° C.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation temperature is in a range of from about −20° C. to about 40° C., preferably from about 0° C. to about 40° C., more preferably from about 5° C. to about 35° C., more preferably from about 5° C. to about 30° C., even more preferably from about 5° C. to about 20° C.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation temperature is in a range of from about 5° C. to about 22° C., preferably from 5° C. to about 18° C., more preferably from about 8° C. to about 15° C.

In certain embodiments, the precipitation temperature is in a range of from about 5° C. to about 18° C.; or from about 8° C. to about 15° C.

In certain embodiments, an antisolvent is used in addition to adjusting the temperature to the precipitation temperature. In certain embodiments, e.g., when the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, precipitation will also occur without adding an antisolvent.

If an antisolvent is used for initiating precipitation, the precipitation temperature may be in a range of from about −20° C. to about 40° C., from about 0° C. to about 40° C., from about 5° C. to about 35° C., from about 5° C. to about 22° C., from about 5° C. to about 18° C.; or from about 8° C. to about 15° C.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is cooled at a controlled rate during precipitation. In certain embodiments, the cooling rate is about 1° C., about 2° C., about 3° C., about 4° C., or about 5° C. per hour.

An important factor influencing the precipitation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof in the oxidation process may be the temperature of the reaction mixture. A further factor influencing the precipitation appears to be the total amount of acid in the reaction mixture. Another factor influencing the precipitation appears to be the molarity of the reaction mixture. The addition of an antisolvent also appears to be a factor that can influence precipitation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. It is presently believed that the precipitation temperature will rise when the total amount of acid is lowered.

Hence, in a process wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof is precipitated and wherein the total amount of acid present in the reaction mixture is from about 0.6 to about 14.0 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of thebaine, the precipitation temperature may be ≤40° C. (i.e. 40° C. or less). In a process wherein the total amount of acid present in the reaction mixture is from about 1 to about 8 molar equivalents, preferably from about 1 to about 5 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine, the precipitation temperature may be in a range of from about 0° C. to about 40° C., preferably from about 0° C. to about 35° C. In a process wherein the total amount of acid present in the reaction mixture is from about 1 to about 4 molar equivalents, preferably from about 1 to about 3 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of the thebaine, the precipitation temperature may be in a range of from about 5° C. to about 22° C.; preferably from about 8° C. to about 20° C.

In certain embodiments, an antisolvent is added to precipitate a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. When an antisolvent is added to the reaction mixture, it is added either during or after step (bb) and in an effective amount to initiate and/or enhance precipitation. In certain embodiments, addition of a suitable antisolvent increases the yield of the reaction. Addition of a suitable antisolvent may also enhance retention of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the supernatant. A suitable antisolvent may comprise or consist of tert-butyl methyl ether, diethyl ether, hexane(s), tert-amyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, 2-butanol, heptanes, xylenes, toluene, acetone, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform, dichloromethane, 1-methoxy-2-propanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, n-propanol, 1-butanol, tert-butanol, isobutanol, isopropyl acetate, 1,4-dioxane, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, methyl formate, methyl acetate, or a mixture of two or more of any of the foregoing. 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate has very low/no solubility in these solvents at room temperature. The listed alcohols and ethers are the preferred antisolvents. In some embodiments, said antisolvent is an alcohol, e.g., methanol, isopropanol or 2-butanol. In some embodiments, said antisolvent is an ether, e.g., tert-butyl methyl ether and/or tetrahydrofuran. In some preferred embodiments, said antisolvent is isopropanol or 2-butanol. In some embodiments, said antisolvent is a mixture of an alcohol (e.g., methanol) and an ether (e.g., tert-butyl methyl ether and/or tetrahydrofuran), for example a mixture of methanol and tert-butyl methyl ether, or a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran, or a mixture of tert-butyl methyl ether and tetrahydrofuran, or a mixture of methanol, tert-butyl methyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran. When two or more antisolvents are used (e.g., in a mixture), they can be added as a mixture or separately.

When an antisolvent is added, it is preferably added in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 7 mL antisolvent per 1 g thebaine, more preferably in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 5 mL antisolvent per 1 g thebaine, more preferably in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 4 mL antisolvent per 1 g thebaine, more preferably in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 3 mL antisolvent per 1 g thebaine. For example, in a preferred embodiment, from about 1 to about 4 mL 2-butanol per 1 g of thebaine are added. Within these ranges, the yield is especially increased and/or the retention of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the supernatant is especially enhanced.

When a seed crystal is added, said seed crystal is a crystal of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof. This seed crystal may act as crystallization nucleus if the solution of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt resulting from step (bb) is metastable. It may be made metastable by concentrating the reaction mixture.

In certain embodiments, the precipitate may be isolated from the reaction mixture (isolation step (dd)).

In said isolation step (dd), the precipitate may be separated from the supernatant in any conventional manner, e.g., by filtration, centrifugation, decanting, or any other conventional method for separating a solid phase from a liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone (either in its free base form or bound in a salt or solvate) to 14-hydroxycodeinone (which may be bound in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt) in the precipitate is less than the ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone to 14-hydroxycodeinone in the supernatant.

In cases where the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof is not precipitated, it may be isolated by concentrating the reaction mixture, e.g., by drying, vacuum distillation, spray drying or lyophilization.

Further Processing of the 14-Hydroxycodeinone Salt or the Solvate Thereof

In certain embodiments, the precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof can be further processed.

In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may be washed with and/or (re)crystallized in an organic solvent or aqueous solvent in which 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof is more soluble than the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof. The washing and/or (re)crystallization may further reduce the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof. The washing and/or the (re)crystallization may be performed more than once, or they may also be combined sequentially.

In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or is (re)crystallized in a solvent containing or consisting of an ether, a ketone, an ester, an alcohol, water, an (optionally halogenated) alkane, an (optionally halogenated) aromatic solvent or any mixtures thereof. The solvent may contain or consist of one or more of the following solvents: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, heptane, tert-butyl methyl ether, 1,2-dichloroethane, toluene, 2-butanone (MEK), tert-amyl alcohol, chloroform, xylene, and water.

In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed and/or (re)crystallized in a solvent consisting of an ether, an alcohol, water, chloroform, or any mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, said solvent may be methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, or a mixture of water with any of the foregoing.

In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed and/or (re)crystallized with a solvent which is tert-butyl methyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methanol, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, 2-butanol, or a mixture of methanol:water, THF:water, acetone:water, isopropanol:water, 2-butanol:water, or ethanol:water. In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed and/or (re)crystallized with a solvent which is tert-butyl methyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methanol, a 2-butanol:water mixture, or a methanol:water mixture.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 90:10 methanol:water mixture; 80:20 methanol:water mixture, 70:30 methanol:water or 60:40 methanol:water mixture. In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 80:20 or 70:30 methanol:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 90:10 ethanol:water mixture, 80:20 ethanol:water mixture or 70:30 ethanol:water mixture. In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in 90:10 ethanol/water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in tetrahydrofuran or in 90:10 tetrahydrofuran:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 90:10 isopropanol:water mixture, 80:20 isopropanol:water mixture or 70:30 isopropanol:water mixture. In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 90:10 isopropanol:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 90:10 2-butanol:water mixture, 80:20 2-butanol:water mixture, 70:30 2-butanol:water mixture, 60:40 2-butanol:water mixture, or 20:10 2-butanol:water mixture. In certain embodiments, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 20:10 2-butanol:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

In certain embodiments, preferably wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is washed with and/or (re)crystallized in a 70:30 acetone:water mixture or 80:20 acetone:water mixture. 8-Hydroxyoxycodone (and its corresponding protonated species) is more soluble in these mixtures than 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and therefore it is assumed that 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be removed from the isolated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof by the washing and/or (re)crystallization.

The washing of the isolated precipitate containing the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may be performed in any way conventional in the art, e.g., by forming a slurry of the compound.

In certain embodiments, the ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone to 14-hydroxycodeinone in the supernatant after the precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is higher than the ratio of 8-hydroxyoxycodone to 14-hydroxycodeinone in the precipitate.

In the oxidation process, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof may have the effect that less 8-hydroxy compound is formed during the oxidation reaction in comparison to an oxidation reaction where no 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is formed. In other words, the formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt allows for an improvement of the by-product profile of the reaction product. One example for such oxidation reaction may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein n is 2 and preferably wherein X^(n−) is sulfate. Another example for such oxidation reaction may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein n is 1 and preferably wherein X^(n−) is trifluoroacetate.

The formation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof may also have the effect that 8-hydroxyoxycodone can be separated from the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof, e.g., by precipitation of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or the solvate thereof from the reaction mixture. One example for such an effect may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein X^(n−) is sulfate. One example for such an effect may be the use of one of the antisolvents described in the present Section IV.

A combination of these effects may also take place. That is, both less 8-hydroxyoxycodone is formed during the oxidation and said compound can be separated from the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof. One example may be the formation of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt wherein X^(n−) is sulfate, preferably in combination with one of the antisolvents described in the present Section IV.

V. 14-Hydroxycodeinone Salt

The present invention uses a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt having the following formula or a solvate thereof

wherein X^(n−) and n are defined as above, in particular in Section I, as starting material for the hydrogenation process according to the invention. Present invention may use said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof as a solid, in solution or as a suspension.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof comprises one or more protonated molecules of 14-hydroxycodeinone and at least one anion X^(n−). The anion may be an organic or inorganic anion. The anion may be mono- or polyvalent (e.g., divalent or trivalent). In its solid form, the components of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt are present in stoichiometric amounts. However, other molecular ratios may also be present either in micro- or macrostructures of the salt, depending e.g., on the type of the anion and valency thereof, the solvent (which might also form part of the salt) and the ambient pH.

In certain embodiments, said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is provided in its isolated, solid form, which in certain embodiments is its crystalline form, as starting material for the hydrogenation reaction.

Said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may be obtainable or obtained by the process described in Section IV. Preferably, it is obtained by said process.

Said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is a starting material or intermediate for the hydrogenation reaction according to the present invention which results in the synthesis of oxycodone or (pharmaceutically acceptable) salts or solvates thereof.

In certain embodiments of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof, n is 1 or 2, and is preferably 2.

In certain embodiments, X^(n−) is SO₄ ²⁻ or trifluoroacetate, and is preferably SO₄ ²−.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is provided as its solvate. Said solvate may be any association product of a 14-hydroxycodeinone salt with a solvent molecule. The molar ratio of solvent molecule(s) per molecule of 14-hydroxycodcinone salt may vary. The molar ratio of solvent to compound/salt in the solvate may be 1 (e.g., in a monohydrate), more than 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a polyhydrate), or less than 1 (e.g., in a hemihydrate). The molar ratio need not be an integer ratio, it can also be, e.g., 0.5 (as in a hemihydrate) or 2.5. For example, 1 molecule water per molecule of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate is bound in 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate monohydrate. The solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is in certain embodiments a hydrate, for example a monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, pentahydrate or hexahydrate, or a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is not necessarily an integer, but within the range of from 0.5 to 10.0. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 8. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 6, i.e. a mono- to hexahydrate. In certain embodiments, the solvate of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is a monohydrate or a pentahydrate.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is

or a solvate thereof. The solvate may be a hydrate. The molar ratio of solvent to compound/salt in the solvate may be 1 (e.g., in a monohydrate), more than 1 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 in a polyhydrate), or less than 1 (e.g., in a hemihydrate). The molar ratio need not be an integer ratio, it can also be, e.g., 0.5 (as in a hemihydrate) or 2.5. For example, 1 molecule water per molecule of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate is bound in 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate monohydrate. The solvate is in certain embodiments a hydrate, for example a monohydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, pentahydrate or hexahydrate, or a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is not necessarily an integer, but within the range of from 0.5 to 10.0. In certain embodiments, the solvate is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 8. In certain embodiments, the solvate is a hydrate wherein the ratio of water per molecule is within the range of from 1 to 6, i.e. a mono- to hexahydrate. In certain embodiments, the solvate is a monohydrate or a pentahydrate.

Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms produced from said 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof, preferably, contain less 8-hydroxyoxycodone and/or 14-hydroxycodeinone than pharmaceutical compositions prepared via a different intermediate, i.e. without the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is prepared as described in Section IV.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof additionally comprises 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

Said 8-hydroxyoxycodone is a by-product of the oxidation reaction described above, as illustrated in the following reaction Scheme 17:

Said 8-hydroxyoxycodone may be present in the form of its free base, or in the form of its salt or solvate.

Whenever 8-hydroxyoxycodone is comprised in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt (thus forming a composition), it is present in a certain amount which shall be specified in the following.

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 2500 ppm, less than about 2250 ppm, less than about 2000 ppm, less than about 1750 ppm, less than about 1500 ppm, or less than about 1250 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 1000 ppm, less than about 750 ppm, less than about 500 ppm, or less than about 400 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 300 ppm, less than about 275 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, or less than about 125 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 100 ppm, less than about 90 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 70 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, or less than about 2 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (e.g., the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone is from about 0.05 ppm to about 0.7 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate) (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof does not contain 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, and the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone therein is less than about 300 ppm, less than about 275 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, less than about 125 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, it is less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate does not contain 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof has a lower limit of about 0.01 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the lower limit is about 0.05 ppm, 0.1 ppm, about 0.3 ppm, about 0.5 ppm, about 0.7 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 1.5 ppm, about 2 ppm, or about 3 ppm. For example, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof may range from about 0.05 ppm to 1 ppm in a certain embodiment, and from about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm in a certain other embodiment.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises from about 0.01 ppm to about 2500 ppm, from about 0.05 to about 2250 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 2000 ppm, from about 0.3 to about 1750 ppm, from about 0.5 ppm to about 1500 ppm, or from about 1 ppm to about 1250 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof in relation to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt (HPLC peak area ratio).

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 0.2 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 0.3 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about 0.5 ppm to about 400 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 350 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 0.2 ppm to about 275 ppm, from about 0.3 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 0.4 ppm to about 225 ppm, or from about 0.5 ppm to about 200 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.

The 14-hydroxycodeinone salt may comprise the 8-hydroxyoxycodone as (i) 8a isomer, (ii) 813 isomer or (iii) a combination of 8a and 813 isomer. Preferably, at least a portion of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone is the 8a isomer.

Preferably, the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate.

VI. Oxycodone

Present invention further provides oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof, which is obtainable or preferably has been obtained by the hydrogenation process according to the present invention.

The salt or solvate of the oxycodone may be a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate. Such salts or solvates are known in the art.

The oxycodone according to the present invention is preferably in its free base form or in the form of a solvate thereof.

The oxycodone according to the present invention may be comprised in a composition, which may be a solid or a liquid. Said composition may the product of the hydrogenation process according to the present invention.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone is a solid. In certain embodiments, it is the precipitate containing the oxycodone base as described as product of the hydrogenation process described in Section II.

The oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

Preferably, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof contains less than about 5 ppm, more preferably less than about 3 ppm, even more preferably less than about 1 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). Most preferably, it does not contain 8-hydroxyoxycodone in detectable amounts, and even may not contain any 8-hydroxyoxycodone at all.

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 2500 ppm, less than about 2250 ppm, less than about 2000 ppm, less than about 1750 ppm, less than about 1500 ppm, or less than about 1250 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 1000 ppm, less than about 750 ppm, less than about 500 ppm, or less than about 400 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 300 ppm, less than about 275 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, or less than about 125 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 100 ppm, less than about 90 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 70 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, or less than about 2 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (e.g., the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone is from about 0.1 ppm to about 0.7 ppm of the 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate) (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof does not contain 8-hydroxyoxycodone in detectable amounts, or not contain any 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof has a lower limit of about 0.05 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the lower limit is about 0.1 ppm, about 0.3 ppm, about 0.5 ppm, about 0.7 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 1.5 ppm, about 2 ppm, or about 3 ppm. For example, the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the composition may range from about 0.05 ppm to 1 ppm in a certain embodiment, and from about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm in a certain other embodiment.

In certain embodiments, the amount of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the salt or solvate thereof is less than about 300 ppm, less than about 275 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, less than about 125 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, it is less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the oxycodone does not contain 8-hydroxyoxycodone.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 2500 ppm, from about 0.05 to about 2250 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 2000 ppm, from about 0.3 to about 1750 ppm, from about 0.5 ppm to about 1500 ppm, or from about 1 ppm to about 1250 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof in relation to the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 1000 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 800 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, from about 0.2 ppm to about 600 ppm, from about 0.3 ppm to about 500 ppm, or from about 0.5 ppm to about 400 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 350 ppm, from about 0.1 ppm to about 300 ppm, from about 0.2 ppm to about 275 ppm, from about 0.3 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 0.4 ppm to about 225 ppm, or from about 0.5 ppm to about 200 ppm 8-hydroxyoxycodone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to compound TV or salt or solvate thereof.

Additionally, the composition comprising the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises 14-hydroxycodeinone.

Preferably, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof contains less than about 5 ppm, more preferably less than about 3 ppm, even more preferably less than about 1 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone (HPLC peak area ratio). Most preferably, it does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone in detectable amounts, and even may not contain any 14-hydroxycodeinone at all.

The amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to the amount of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof may in certain embodiments be less than about 500 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50 ppm or less than about 40 ppm (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, it may be less than about 30 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 15 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, or less than about 2.5 ppm (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, it may be less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone (in detectable amounts).

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof has a lower limit of about 0.05 ppm of the oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the lower limit is about 0.1 ppm, about 0.3 ppm, about 0.5 ppm, about 0.7 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 1.5 ppm, about 2 ppm, or about 3 ppm. For example, the amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone or salt or solvate thereof in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof may range from about 0.05 ppm to 1 ppm in a certain embodiment, and from about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm in a certain other embodiment.

The oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof in certain embodiments comprises from about 0.05 ppm to about 500 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 250 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 200 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 100 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 50 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 25 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 10 ppm, from about 0.05 ppm to about 5 ppm, or from about 0.05 ppm to about 1 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone or salt or solvate thereof in relation to oxycodone or the salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone in relation to the amount of the oxycodone in the oxycodone or the salt or solvate thereof is less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, less than about 125 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, or less than about 10 ppm, or less than about 5 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof.

The oxycodone or salt or solvate thereof may also additionally comprise a combination of 14-hydroxycodeinone with 8-hydroxyoxycodone, preferably within the limits for the single compounds 8-hydroxyoxycodone and 14-hydroxycodeinone as described in the preceding paragraphs.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof additionally comprises both 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone. In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises a combined amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone which is less than about 1000 ppm, less than about 750 ppm, less than about 500 ppm, less than about 400 ppm, less than about 300 ppm, or less than about 275 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the combined amount of the compound 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, or less than about 125 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the combined amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 100 ppm, less than about 90 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 70 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the combined amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, or less than about 2 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the combined amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone (in detectable amounts).

Preferably, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof contains less than about 10 ppm, more preferably less than about 6 ppm, even more preferably less than about 4 ppm combined 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). Most preferably, it does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in detectable amounts, and even may not contain any 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone at all.

In certain embodiments, the combined amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone and 8-hydroxyoxycodone in the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof has a lower limit of about 0.05 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio). In certain embodiments, the lower limit is about 0.1 ppm, about 0.3 ppm, about 0.5 ppm, about 0.7 ppm, about 1 ppm, about 1.5 ppm, about 2 ppm, or about 3 ppm in relation to the amount of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio).

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 15 ppm, or less than about 10 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, and/or less than about 300 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, or less than about 10 ppm of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises less than about 25 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 15 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, or less than about 1 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, and/or less than about 100 ppm, less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, or less than about 5 ppm of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or the (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof comprises less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, less than about 1 ppm, or less than about 0.5 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, and/or less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, less than about 3 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, less than about 1 ppm, or less than about 0.5 ppm of 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof additionally comprises (i) 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof, and/or (ii) 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone is less than about 300 ppm, less than about 275 ppm, less than about 250 ppm, less than about 225 ppm, less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, less than about 125 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 8 ppm, less than about 6 ppm, less than about 4 ppm, less than about 2 ppm, less than about 1 ppm, less than about 0.8 ppm, less than about 0.6 ppm, less than about 0.4 ppm, less than about 0.3 ppm, less than about 0.2 ppm, or less than about 0.1 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio; e.g., from about 0.2 ppm to about 50 ppm of the oxycodone), and the amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone is less than about 200 ppm, less than about 175 ppm, less than about 150 ppm, less than about 125 ppm, less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, or less than about 10 ppm, or less than about 5 ppm of the oxycodone (HPLC peak area ratio; e.g., from about 0.1 ppm to about 15 ppm, or from about 0.2 ppm to about 2 ppm of the oxycodone). In preferred embodiments, the oxycodone is oxycodone free base.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone is oxycodone free base and additionally comprises (i) 8-hydroxyoxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof, and/or (ii) 14-hydroxycodeinone or a salt or solvate thereof, wherein the amount of the 8-hydroxyoxycodone is less than about 100 ppm, less than about 80 ppm, less than about 60 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm, less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, or less than about 2 ppm of the oxycodone salt (HPLC peak area ratio; e.g., from about 0.1 ppm to about 9 ppm of the oxycodone salt), and the amount of the 14-hydroxycodeinone is less than about 50 ppm, less than about 25 ppm, less than about 10 ppm, less than about 5 ppm, or less than about 2 ppm of the oxycodone salt (HPLC peak area ratio).

VII. Use of the Oxycodone VII-A. Use in a Medicament

Oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof can be used as API of a medicament. To date, the API form of oxycodone is oxycodone hydrochloride.

For this use, the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof may be the oxycodone as described in Section VI.

For this use, the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof may be used in a dosage form as described in Section VIII.

In the context of the present invention, the oxycodone is preferably prepared as its free base according to the process of the present invention, and then used either directly as API, or converted into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate which is then used as API, in particular, oxycodone hydrochloride.

For this use, the medicament may be for treating a medical condition selected from the group consisting of pain, addiction, cough, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia associated with and/or caused by pain, cough or addiction, depression associated with and/or resulting from pain, cough or addiction, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing conditions. In particular, said condition may be pain.

The present invention also provides a method for treating an animal, preferably a mammal (e.g., a human), (in the following: “a patient”) using the oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Said treatment may be of any medical condition which is conventionally treated by administration of oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof to a patient.

Said medical condition may be pain, addiction, cough, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia associated with and/or caused by pain, cough or addiction, depression associated with and/or resulting from pain, cough or addiction, or a combination of two or more of the foregoing conditions. In particular, said condition may be pain.

For this method of treatment, the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof may be the compound as described in Section VI.

For this method of treatment, the oxycodone or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof may be used in a dosage form as described in Section VIII.

VII-B. Other Uses

The oxycodone (prepared) according to the present invention or an (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof may also be used as follows:

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is used as an intermediate or starting material for preparing the oxycodone in its free base form or for preparing another salt or solvate of oxycodone, e.g., for preparing a(nother) pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of oxycodone. For example, the oxycodone may be used for preparing oxycodone hydrochloride. Processes for preparing said other salt or solvate which involve a process or compound as described above in the detailed description are also embodiments of the present invention.

In certain embodiments, the oxycodone or (optionally pharmaceutically acceptable) salt or solvate thereof is used as an intermediate or starting material for preparing another opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof, and/or for preparing a medicament containing the oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or containing another opioid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. For example, oxycodone may be used as starting material for preparing oxymorphone. Processes for preparing said other opioids which involve a process or compound as described above in the detailed description are also embodiments of the present invention.

VIII. Dosage Forms

Dosage forms in accordance with the present invention comprise one or more of the compounds described above and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The dosage forms may or may not be abuse-resistant.

Those compounds, salts or solvates according to the present invention which are or contain an active pharmaceutical ingredient, in particular the oxycodone which is described in Section VI, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, can be comprised in a pharmaceutical dosage form or medicament. Other opioids made from compounds, salts or solvates according to the present invention can also be comprised in a pharmaceutical dosage form or medicament. Prodrugs of the opioids described herein can also be comprised in a pharmaceutical dosage form or medicament. Such dosage forms and medicaments are also an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition to said active pharmaceutical ingredient, said dosage forms comprise one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

A pharmaceutical dosage form of the present invention may comprise (i) an opioid prepared according to present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and (ii) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In particular, a pharmaceutical dosage form of the present invention may comprise (i) oxycodone or an oxycodone salt or solvate as described above, and (ii) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

In certain embodiments, the dosage form comprises oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein said compounds have the properties as described in Section VI and/or have been prepared according to a process of the present invention. In one embodiment, the oxycodone salt is oxycodone hydrochloride.

In certain embodiments, the dosage form comprises a combination of oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof which has the properties as described in Section VI and/or has been prepared according to a process of the present invention, with another opioid. In certain embodiments, the dosage form comprises a combination of oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof which has the properties as described in Section VI and/or has been prepared according to a process of the present invention, with an opioid receptor antagonist. For example, a dosage form of the present invention may comprise a combination of oxycodone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof (such as oxycodone hydrochloride) and naloxone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof (such as naloxone hydrochloride).

In certain embodiments, the dosage form is selected from the group consisting of oral dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, suspensions, solutions, etc.), injectable dosage forms, rectal dosage forms (e.g., suppositories), and transdermal dosage forms (e.g., patches).

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form does not contain 14-hydroxycodeinone and/or 8-hydroxyoxycodone. Preferably, neither 14-hydroxycodeinone nor 8-hydroxyoxycodone are contained.

In said embodiments, the dosage form may be selected from the group consisting of oral dosage forms (e.g., tablets, capsules, suspensions, solutions, etc.), injectable dosage forms, rectal dosage forms (e.g., suppositories), and transdermal dosage forms (e.g., patches). Dosage forms for oral administration may be presented as tablets, capsules, liquid formulations, troches, lozenges, powders, granules, microparticles (e.g., microcapsules, microspheres and the like), or buccal tablets.

In certain embodiments, oral dosage forms of the present invention may be in the form of tablets (sustained release and/or immediate release), solutions, suspensions, etc.

Oral dosage forms can provide a controlled release (sustained release or delayed release) or an immediate release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. One of the conventional excipients may be a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include but are not limited to, e.g., alcohols, gum arabic, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, polyethylene glycols, gelate, carbohydrates such as lactose, amylose or starch, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, perfume oil, fatty acid monoglycerides and diglycerides, pentaerythritol fatty acid esters, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc. The dosage form may further comprise an inert diluent such as lactose; granulating and disintegrating agents such as cornstarch; binding agents such as starch; and lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques for elegance or to provide a controlled release of the drug (a sustained release, a delayed release or a pulsatile release) of the pharmaceutical composition.

The pharmaceutical preparations can be sterilized and if desired mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, disintegrants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure buffers, coloring, flavoring and/or aromatic substances and the like.

The compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known in the art and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of inert, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of the pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms.

In certain embodiments, the sustained release dosage form may optionally comprise particles containing an opioid pharmaceutical composition described above. In certain embodiments, the particles have a diameter from about 0.1 mm to about 2.5 mm, preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. The particles may be film coated with a material that permits release of the active at a sustained rate in an aqueous medium. The film coat may be chosen so as to achieve, in combination with the other ingredients of the dosage form, desired release properties. The sustained release coating formulations of the present invention should be capable of producing a strong, continuous film that is smooth and elegant, capable of supporting pigments and other coating additives, non-toxic, inert, and tack-free.

Coated Beads

In certain embodiments of the present invention a hydrophobic material is used to coat inert pharmaceutical beads such as nu pariel 18/20 beads, and a plurality of the resultant solid sustained release beads may thereafter be placed in a gelatin capsule in an amount sufficient to provide an effective sustained release dose of the opioid pharmaceutical composition when ingested and contacted by an environmental fluid, e.g., gastric fluid or dissolution media.

The sustained release bead formulations of the present invention slowly release the active of the present invention, e.g., when ingested and exposed to gastric fluids, and then to intestinal fluids.

The sustained release profile of the formulations of the invention can be altered, for example, by varying the amount of overcoating with the hydrophobic material, altering the manner in which a plasticizer is added to the hydrophobic material, by varying the amount of plasticizer relative to hydrophobic material, by the inclusion of additional ingredients or excipients, by altering the method of manufacture, etc.

The dissolution profile of the ultimate product may also be modified, for example, by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the retardant coating.

Spheroids or beads coated with the agent(s) of the present invention are prepared, e.g., by dissolving the pharmaceutical compositions in water and then spraying the solution onto a substrate, for example, nu pariel 18/20 beads, using a Wurster insert. Optionally, additional ingredients may be added prior to coating the beads in order to assist the binding of the pharmaceutical compositions to the beads, and/or to color the solution, etc. For example, a product which includes hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, etc. with or without colorant (e.g., Opadry®, commercially available from Colorcon, Inc.) may be added to the solution and the solution mixed (e.g., for about 1 hour) prior to application of the same onto the beads. The resultant coated substrate, in this example beads, may then be optionally overcoated with a barrier agent, to separate the active(s) from the hydrophobic sustained release coating. An example of a suitable barrier agent is one which comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. However, any film-former known in the art may be used. It is preferred that the barrier agent does not affect the dissolution rate of the final product.

The beads may then be overcoated with an aqueous dispersion of the hydrophobic material. The aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic material preferably further includes an effective amount of plasticizer, e.g., triethyl citrate. Pre-formulated aqueous dispersions of ethylcellulose, such as Aquacoat® or Surelease®, may be used. If Surelease® is used, it is not necessary to separately add a plasticizer. Alternatively, pre-formulated aqueous dispersions of acrylic polymers such as Eudragit® can be used.

The coating solutions of the present invention preferably contain, in addition to the film-former, plasticizer, and solvent system (i.e., water), a colorant to provide elegance and product distinction. Color may be added to the solution of the therapeutically active agent instead, or in addition to the aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic material. For example, color may be added to Aquacoat® via the use of alcohol or propylene glycol based color dispersions, milled aluminum lakes and opacifiers such as titanium dioxide by adding color with shear to water soluble polymer solution and then using low shear to the plasticized Aquacoat®. Alternatively, any suitable method of providing color to the formulations of the present invention may be used. Suitable ingredients for providing color to the formulation when an aqueous dispersion of an acrylic polymer is used include titanium dioxide and color pigments, such as iron oxide pigments. The incorporation of pigments, may, however, increase the retard effect of the coating.

Plasticized hydrophobic material may be applied onto the substrate comprising the agent(s) by spraying using any suitable spray equipment known in the art. In a preferred method, a Wurster fluidized-bed system is used in which an air jet, injected from underneath, fluidizes the core material and effects drying while the acrylic polymer coating is sprayed on. A sufficient amount of the hydrophobic material to obtain a predetermined sustained release of the pharmaceutical composition when the coated substrate is exposed to aqueous solutions, e.g., gastric fluid, may be applied. After coating with the hydrophobic material, a further overcoat of a film-former, such as, e.g., Opadry®, may be optionally applied to the beads. This overcoat is provided, if at all, e.g., in order to substantially reduce agglomeration of the beads.

The release of the pharmaceutical composition(s) from the sustained release formulation of the present invention can be further influenced, i.e., adjusted to a desired rate, by the addition of one or more release-modifying agents, or by providing one or more passageways through the coating. The ratio of hydrophobic material to water soluble material is determined by, among other factors, the release rate required and the solubility characteristics of the materials selected.

The release-modifying agents which function as pore-formers may be organic or inorganic, and include materials that can be dissolved, extracted or leached from the coating in an environment of use. The pore-formers may comprise one or more hydrophilic materials such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

The sustained release coatings of the present invention can also include erosion-promoting agents such as starch and gums.

The sustained release coatings of the present invention can also include materials useful for making microporous lamina in the environment of use, such as polycarbonates comprised of linear polyesters of carbonic acid in which carbonate groups reoccur in the polymer chain.

The release-modifying agent may also comprise a semi-permeable polymer.

In certain preferred embodiments, the release-modifying agent is selected from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, lactose, metal stearates, and mixtures of any of the foregoing.

The sustained release coatings of the present invention may also include an exit means comprising at least one passageway, orifice, or the like. The passageway may be formed by such methods as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 4,063,064; and 4,088,864.

Matrix Formulations

In other embodiments of the present invention, the sustained release formulation is achieved via a sustained release matrix optionally having a sustained release coating as set forth herein. The materials suitable for inclusion in the sustained release matrix may depend on the method used to form the matrix.

For example, a matrix in addition to the pharmaceutical compositions described above may include hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic materials, such as gums, cellulose ethers, acrylic resins, protein derived materials; the list is not meant to be exclusive, and any pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophobic material or hydrophilic material which is capable of imparting sustained release of the pharmaceutical composition(s) and which melts (or softens to the extent necessary to be extruded) may be used in accordance with the present invention.

The oral dosage form may contain between 1% and 80% (by weight) of one or more hydrophilic or hydrophobic material(s).

The hydrophobic material is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkylcelluloses, acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers and copolymers, shellac, zein, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, or mixtures thereof. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophobic material is a pharmaceutically acceptable acrylic polymer, including but not limited to acrylic acid and methacrylic acid copolymers, methyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethoxyethyl methacrylates, cyanoethyl methacrylate, aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), methacrylic acid alkylamine copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(methacrylic acid)(anhydride), polymethacrylate, polyacrylamide, poly(methacrylic acid anhydride), and glycidyl methacrylate copolymers. In other embodiments, the hydrophobic material is selected from materials such as hydroxyalkylcelluloses such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and mixtures of the foregoing. Of these materials, acrylic polymers, e.g., Eudragit® RSPO, the cellulose ethers, e.g., hydroxyalkylcelluloses and carboxyalkylcelluloses are preferred.

Preferred hydrophobic materials are water-insoluble with more or less pronounced hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic trends. Preferably, the hydrophobic materials useful in the invention have a melting point from about 40° C. to about 200° C., preferably from about 45° C. to about 90° C. Specifically, the hydrophobic material may comprise natural or synthetic waxes, fatty alcohols (such as lauryl, myristyl, stearyl, cetyl or preferably cetostearyl alcohol), fatty acids, including but not limited to fatty acid esters, fatty acid glycerides (mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides), hydrogenated fats, hydrocarbons, normal waxes, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol and hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials having hydrocarbon backbones. Suitable waxes are waxes as defined in Fette, Seifen, Anstrichmittel 76, 135 (1974) and include, for example, beeswax, glycowax, castor wax and carnauba wax.

Suitable hydrophobic materials which may be used in accordance with the present invention include long chain (C₈-C₅₀, especially C₁₂-C₄₀), substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbons, such as fatty acids, fatty alcohols, glyceryl esters of fatty acids, mineral and vegetable oils and natural and synthetic waxes. Hydrocarbons having a melting point of between 25° C. and 90° C. are preferred. Of the long chain hydrocarbon materials, fatty (aliphatic) alcohols are preferred in certain embodiments. The oral dosage form may contain up to 60% of at least one long chain hydrocarbon.

In certain embodiments, a combination of two or more hydrophobic materials is included in the matrix formulations. If an additional hydrophobic material is included, it is preferably selected from natural and synthetic waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and mixtures of the same. Examples include beeswax, carnauba wax, stearic acid and stearyl alcohol. This list is not meant to be exclusive.

One particular suitable matrix comprises at least one water soluble hydroxyalkyl cellulose, at least one C₁₂-C₃₆, preferably C₁₄-C₂₂, aliphatic alcohol and, optionally, at least one polyalkylene glycol. The at least one hydroxyalkyl cellulose is preferably a hydroxy (C₁ to C₆) alkyl cellulose, such as hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and, especially, hydroxyethylcellulose. The amount of the at least one hydroxyalkyl cellulose in the present oral dosage form will be determined, inter alia, by the precise rate of API release required. The at least one aliphatic alcohol may be, for example, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol. In particularly preferred embodiments of the present oral dosage form, however, the at least one aliphatic alcohol is cetyl alcohol or cetostearyl alcohol. The amount of the at least one aliphatic alcohol in the present oral dosage form will be determined, as above, by the precise rate of opioid release required. It will also depend on whether at least one polyalkylene glycol is present in or absent from the oral dosage form. In the absence of at least one polyalkylene glycol, the oral dosage form preferably contains between 20% and 50% (by weight) of the at least one aliphatic alcohol. When at least one polyalkylene glycol is present in the oral dosage form, then the combined weight of the at least one aliphatic alcohol and the at least one polyalkylene glycol preferably constitutes between 20% and 50% (by weight) of the total dosage.

In one embodiment, the ratio of, e.g., the at least one hydroxyalkyl cellulose or acrylic resin to the at least one aliphatic alcohol/polyalkylene glycol determines, to a (w/w) of the at least one hydroxyalkyl cellulose to the at least one aliphatic alcohol/polyalkylene glycol of between 1:2 and 1:4 is preferred, with a ratio of between 1:3 and 1:4 being particularly preferred.

In certain embodiments, the oral dosage form contains at least one polyalkylene glycol. The amount of the at least one polyalkylene glycol in the oral dosage form may be up to 60%. The at least one polyalkylene glycol may be, for example, polypropylene glycol or, which is preferred, polyethylene glycol. The number average molecular weight of the at least one polyalkylene glycol is preferred between 1,000 and 15,000 especially between 1,500 and 12,000.

In certain embodiments, the sustained release matrix may comprise polyethylene oxide. In certain embodiments polyethylene oxide comprises from about 40% to about 95% of the dosage form. In certain embodiments polyethylene oxide comprises from about 50% to about 95% of the dosage form. In certain embodiments polyethylene oxide comprises from about 55% to about 90% of the dosage form. In certain embodiments polyethylene oxide comprises from about 60% to about 90% of the dosage form.

Another suitable sustained release matrix would comprise an alkylcellulose (especially ethyl cellulose), a C₁₂ to C₃₆ aliphatic alcohol and, optionally, a polyalkylene glycol.

In another preferred embodiment, the matrix includes a pharmaceutically acceptable combination of at least two hydrophobic materials.

In addition to the above ingredients, a sustained release matrix may also contain suitable quantities of other materials, e.g., diluents, lubricants, binders, granulating aids, colorants, flavorants and glidants that are conventional in the pharmaceutical art.

Matrix-Particulates

In order to facilitate the preparation of a solid, sustained release, oral dosage form according to this invention, any method of preparing a matrix formulation known to those skilled in the art may be used. For example incorporation in the matrix may be effected, for example, by (a) forming granules comprising at least one water soluble hydroxyalkyl cellulose, and an opioid according to present invention; (b) mixing the hydroxyalkyl cellulose containing granules with at least one C₁₂-C₃₆ aliphatic alcohol; and (c) optionally, compressing and shaping the granules. Preferably, the granules are formed by wet granulating the hydroxyalkyl cellulose granules with water.

In yet other alternative embodiments, a spheronizing agent, together with the active can be spheronized to form spheroids. Microcrystalline cellulose is a preferred spheronizing agent. A suitable microcrystalline cellulose is, for example, the material sold as Avicel PH 101 (Trade Mark, FMC Corporation). In such embodiments, in addition to the active ingredient and spheronizing agent, the spheroids may also contain a binder. Suitable binders, such as low viscosity, water soluble polymers, will be well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical art. However, water soluble hydroxy lower alkyl cellulose, such as hydroxypropylcellulose, is preferred. Additionally (or alternatively) the spheroids may contain a water insoluble polymer, especially an acrylic polymer, an acrylic copolymer, such as a methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer, or ethyl cellulose. In such embodiments, the sustained release coating will generally include a hydrophobic material such as (a) a wax, either alone or in admixture with a fatty alcohol; or (b) shellac or zein.

Melt Extrusion Matrix

Sustained release matrices can also be prepared via melt-granulation or melt-extrusion techniques. Generally, melt-granulation techniques involve melting a normally solid hydrophobic material, e.g., a wax, and incorporating a powdered drug therein. To obtain a sustained release dosage form, it may be necessary to incorporate an additional hydrophobic substance, e.g., ethylcellulose or a water-insoluble acrylic polymer, into the molten wax hydrophobic material. Examples of sustained release formulations prepared via melt-granulation techniques are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,598.

The additional hydrophobic material may comprise one or more water-insoluble wax-like thermoplastic substances possibly mixed with one or more wax-like thermoplastic substances being less hydrophobic than said one or more water-insoluble wax-like substances. In order to achieve constant release, the individual wax-like substances in the formulation should be substantially non-degradable and insoluble in gastrointestinal fluids during the initial release phases. Useful water-insoluble wax-like substances may be those with a water-solubility that is lower than about 1:5,000 (w/w). For purposes of the present invention, a wax-like substance is defined as any material which is normally solid at room temperature and has a melting point of from about 25° to about 100° C.

In addition to the above ingredients, a sustained release matrix may also contain suitable quantities of other materials, e.g., diluents, lubricants, binders, granulating aids, colorants, flavorants and glidants that are conventional in the pharmaceutical art. The quantities of these additional materials will be sufficient to provide the desired effect to the desired formulation.

In addition to the above ingredients, a sustained release matrix incorporating melt-extruded multiparticulates may also contain suitable quantities of other materials, e.g., diluents, lubricants, binders, granulating aids, colorants, flavorants and glidants that are conventional in the pharmaceutical art in amounts up to about 50% of the particulate if desired.

Specific examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients that may be used to formulate oral dosage forms are described in the Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, American Pharmaceutical Association (1986).

Melt Extrusion Multiparticulates

The preparation of a suitable melt-extruded matrix according to the present invention may, for example, include the steps of blending the API together with at least one hydrophobic material and preferably the additional hydrophobic material to obtain a homogeneous mixture. The homogeneous mixture is then heated to a temperature sufficient to at least soften the mixture sufficiently to extrude the same. The resulting homogeneous mixture is then extruded to form strands. The extrudate is preferably cooled and cut into multiparticulates by any means known in the art. The strands are cooled and cut into multiparticulates. The multiparticulates are then divided into unit doses. The extrudate preferably has a diameter of from about 0.1 to about 5 mm and provides sustained release of the API for a time period of from about 8 to about 24 hours.

An optional process for preparing the melt extrusions of the present invention includes directly metering into an extruder a hydrophobic material, the opioid API, and an optional binder; heating the homogenous mixture; extruding the homogenous mixture to thereby form strands; cooling the strands containing the homogeneous mixture; cutting the strands into particles having a size from about 0.1 mm to about 12 mm; and dividing said particles into unit doses. In this aspect of the invention, a relatively continuous manufacturing procedure is realized.

The diameter of the extruder aperture or exit port can also be adjusted to vary the thickness of the extruded strands. Furthermore, the exit part of the extruder need not be round; it can be oblong, rectangular, etc. The exiting strands can be reduced to particles using a hot wire cutter, guillotine, etc.

The melt extruded multiparticulate system can be, for example, in the form of granules, spheroids or pellets depending upon the extruder exit orifice. For purposes of the present invention, the terms “melt-extruded multiparticulate(s)” and “melt-extruded multiparticulate system(s)” and “melt-extruded particles” shall refer to a plurality of units, preferably within a range of similar size and/or shape and containing one or more active agents and one or more excipients, preferably including a hydrophobic material as described herein. In this regard, the melt-extruded multiparticulates will be of a range of from about 0.1 to about 12 mm in length and have a diameter of from about 0.1 to about 5 mm. In addition, it is to be understood that the melt-extruded multiparticulates can be any geometrical shape within this size range. Alternatively, the extrudate may simply be cut into desired lengths and divided into unit doses of the therapeutically active agent without the need of a spheronization step.

In one preferred embodiment, oral dosage forms are prepared to include an effective amount of melt-extruded multiparticulates within a capsule. For example, a plurality of the melt-extruded multiparticulates may be placed in a gelatin capsule in an amount sufficient to provide an effective sustained release dose when ingested and contacted by gastric fluid.

In another preferred embodiment, a suitable amount of the multiparticulate extrudate is compressed into an oral tablet using conventional tableting equipment using standard techniques. Techniques and compositions for making tablets (compressed and molded), capsules (hard and soft gelatin) and pills are also described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, (Arthur Osol, editor), 1553-1593 (1980).

In yet another preferred embodiment, the extrudate can be shaped into tablets as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,681 (Klimesch, et. al.), described in additional detail above.

Optionally, the sustained release melt-extruded multiparticulate systems or tablets can be coated, or the gelatin capsule containing the multiparticulates can be further coated, with a sustained release coating such as the sustained release coatings described above. Such coatings preferably include a sufficient amount of hydrophobic material to obtain a weight gain level from about 2 to about 30 percent, although the overcoat may be greater depending upon the desired release rate, among other things.

The melt-extruded unit dosage forms of the present invention may further include combinations of melt-extruded particles before being encapsulated. Furthermore, the unit dosage forms can also include an amount of an immediate release agent for prompt release. The immediate release agent may be incorporated, e.g., as separate pellets within a gelatin capsule, or may be coated on the surface of the multiparticulates after preparation of the dosage forms (e.g., sustained release coating or matrix-based). The unit dosage forms of the present invention may also contain a combination of sustained release beads and matrix multiparticulates to achieve a desired effect.

The sustained release formulations of the present invention preferably slowly release the agent(s), e.g., when ingested and exposed to gastric fluids, and then to intestinal fluids. The sustained release profile of the melt-extruded formulations of the invention can be altered, for example, by varying the amount of retardant, i.e., hydrophobic material, by varying the amount of plasticizer relative to hydrophobic material, by the inclusion of additional ingredients or excipients, by altering the method of manufacture, etc.

In other embodiments of the invention, the melt extruded material is prepared without the inclusion of the API, which can be added thereafter to the extrudate. Such formulations typically will have the agents blended together with the extruded matrix material, and then the mixture would be tableted in order to provide a slow release formulation.

Coatings

The dosage forms of the present invention may optionally be coated with one or more materials suitable for the regulation of release or for the protection of the formulation. In one embodiment, coatings are provided to permit either pH-dependent or pH-independent release. A pH-dependent coating serves to release the active in desired areas of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, e.g., the stomach or small intestine, such that an absorption profile is provided which is capable of providing at least about eight hours and preferably about twelve hours to up to about twenty-four hours of the therapeutic effect (such as analgesia) to a patient. When a pH-independent coating is desired, the coating is designed to achieve optimal release regardless of pH-changes in the environmental fluid, e.g., the GI tract. It is also possible to formulate compositions which release a portion of the dose in one desired area of the GI tract, e.g., the stomach, and release the remainder of the dose in another area of the GI tract, e.g., the small intestine.

Formulations according to the invention that utilize pH-dependent coatings to obtain formulations may also impart a repeat-action effect whereby unprotected drug is coated over the enteric coat and is released in the stomach, while the remainder, being protected by the enteric coating, is released further down the gastrointestinal tract. Coatings which are pH-dependent may be used in accordance with the present invention include shellac, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and methacrylic acid ester copolymers, zein, and the like.

In certain preferred embodiments, the substrate (e.g., tablet core bead, matrix particle) containing the API is coated with a hydrophobic material selected from (i) an alkylcellulose; (ii) an acrylic polymer; or (iii) mixtures thereof. The coating may be applied in the form of an organic or aqueous solution or dispersion. The coating may be applied to obtain a weight gain from about 2 to about 25% of the substrate in order to obtain a desired sustained release profile. Coatings derived from aqueous dispersions are described, e.g., in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,273,760 and 5,286,493.

Other examples of sustained release formulations and coatings which may be used in accordance with the present invention include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,324,351; 5,356,467, and 5,472,712.

Alkylcellulose Polymers

Cellulosic materials and polymers, including alkylcelluloses, provide hydrophobic materials well suited for coating the beads according to the invention. Simply by way of example, one preferred alkylcellulosic polymer is ethylcellulose, although the artisan will appreciate that other cellulose and/or alkylcellulose polymers may be readily employed, singly or in any combination, as all or part of a hydrophobic coating according to the invention.

Acrylic Polymers

In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophobic material comprising the sustained release coating is a pharmaceutically acceptable acrylic polymer, including but not limited to acrylic acid and methacrylic acid copolymers, methyl methacrylate copolymers, ethoxyethyl methacrylates, cyanoethyl methacrylate, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), methacrylic acid alkylamide copolymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), polymethacrylate, poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymer, polyacrylamide, aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer, poly(methacrylic acid anhydride), and glycidyl methacrylate copolymers.

In certain preferred embodiments, the acrylic polymer is comprised of one or more ammonio methacrylate copolymers. Ammonio methacrylate copolymers are well known in the art, and are described in NF XVII as fully polymerized copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with a low content of quaternary ammonium groups.

In order to obtain a desirable dissolution profile, it may be necessary to incorporate two or more ammonio methacrylate copolymers having differing physical properties, such as different molar ratios of the quaternary ammonium groups to the neutral (meth)acrylic esters.

Certain methacrylic acid ester-type polymers are useful for preparing pH-dependent coatings which may be used in accordance with the present invention. For example, there are a family of copolymers synthesized from diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and other neutral methacrylic esters, also known as methacrylic acid copolymer or polymeric methacrylates, commercially available as Eudragit® from Evonik. There are several different types of Eudragit®. For example, Eudragit® E is an example of a methacrylic acid copolymer which swells and dissolves in acidic media. Eudragit® L is a methacrylic acid copolymer which does not swell at about pH<5.7 and is soluble at about pH>6. Eudragit® S does not swell at about pH<6.5 and is soluble at about pH>7. Eudragit® RL and Eudragit® RS are water swellable, and the amount of water absorbed by these polymers is pH-dependent, however, dosage forms coated with Eudragit® RL and RS are pH-independent.

In certain preferred embodiments, the acrylic coating comprises a mixture of two acrylic resin lacquers commercially available from Evonik under the trade names Eudragit® RL30D and Eudragit® RS30D, respectively. Eudragit® RL30D and Eudragit® RS30D are copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic esters with a low content of quaternary ammonium groups, the molar ratio of ammonium groups to the remaining neutral (meth)acrylic esters being 1:20 in Eudragit® RL30D and 1:40 in Eudragit® RS30D. The mean molecular weight is about 150,000. The code designations RL (high permeability) and RS (low permeability) refer to the permeability properties of these agents. Eudragit® RL/RS mixtures are insoluble in water and in digestive fluids. However, coatings formed from the same are swellable and permeable in aqueous solutions and digestive fluids.

The Eudragit® RL/RS dispersions may be mixed together in any desired ratio in order to ultimately obtain a sustained release formulation having a desirable dissolution profile. Desirable sustained release formulations may be obtained, for instance, from a retardant coating derived from 100% Eudragit® RL, 50% Eudragit® RL and 50% Eudragit® RS, and 10% Eudragit® RL and 90% Eudragit® RS. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that other acrylic polymers may also be used, such as, for example, Eudragit® L.

Plasticizers

In embodiments of the present invention where the coating comprises an aqueous dispersion of a hydrophobic material, the inclusion of an effective amount of a plasticizer in the aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic material will further improve the physical properties of the sustained release coating. For example, because ethyl-cellulose has a relatively high glass transition temperature and does not form flexible films under normal coating conditions, it is preferable to incorporate a plasticizer into an ethylcellulose coating containing sustained release coating before using the same as a coating material. Generally, the amount of plasticizer included in a coating solution is based on the concentration of the film-former, e.g., most often from about 1 to about 50 percent of the film-former. Concentration of the plasticizer, however, can only be properly determined after careful experimentation with the particular coating solution and method of application.

Examples of suitable plasticizers for ethylcellulose include water insoluble plasticizers such as dibutyl sebacate, diethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, and triacetin, although it is possible that other water-insoluble plasticizers (such as acetylated monoglycerides, phthalate esters, castor oil, etc.) may be used. Triethyl citrate is an especially preferred plasticizer for the aqueous dispersions of ethyl cellulose of the present invention.

Examples of suitable plasticizers for the acrylic polymers of the present invention include, but are not limited to citric acid esters such as triethyl citrate NF XVI, tributyl citrate, dibutyl phthalate, and possibly 1,2-propylene glycol. Other plasticizers which have proved to be suitable for enhancing the elasticity of the films formed from acrylic films such as Eudragit® RL/RS lacquer solutions include polyethylene glycols, propylene glycol, diethyl phthalate, castor oil, and triacetin. Triethyl citrate is an especially preferred plasticizer for the aqueous dispersions of ethyl cellulose of the present invention.

It has further been found that the addition of a small amount of talc reduces the tendency of the aqueous dispersion to stick during processing, and acts as a polishing agent.

Sustained Release Osmotic Dosage Form

Sustained release dosage forms according to the present invention may also be prepared as osmotic dosage formulations. The osmotic dosage forms preferably include a bilayer core comprising a drug layer (e.g., containing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof as described above) and a delivery or push layer, wherein the bilayer core is surrounded by a semipermeable wall and optionally having at least one passageway disposed therein.

The expression “passageway” as used for the purpose of the present description, includes aperture, orifice, bore, pore, porous element through which an API (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride) may be pumped, diffuse or migrate through a fiber, capillary tube, porous overlay, porous insert, microporous member, or porous composition. The passageway can also include a compound that erodes or is leached from the wall in the fluid environment of use to produce at least one passageway. Representative compounds for forming a passageway include erodible poly(glycolic) acid, or poly(lactic) acid in the wall; a gelatinous filament; a water-removable poly(vinyl alcohol); leachable compounds such as fluid-removable pore-forming polysaccharides, acids, salts or oxides. A passageway can be formed by leaching a compound from the wall, such as sorbitol, sucrose, lactose, maltose, or fructose, to form a sustained-release dimensional pore-passageway. The dosage form can be manufactured with one or more passageways in spaced-apart relation on one or more surfaces of the dosage form. A passageway and equipment for forming a passageway are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 4,063,064 and 4,088,864. Passageways comprising sustained-release dimensions sized, shaped and adapted as a releasing-pore formed by aqueous leaching to provide a releasing-pore of a sustained-release rate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,200,098 and 4,285,987.

In certain embodiments the drug layer may also comprise at least one polymer hydrogel. The polymer hydrogel may have an average molecular weight of between about 500 and about 6,000,000. Examples of polymer hydrogels include but are not limited to a maltodextrin polymer comprising the formula (C₆H₁₂O₅)_(n)H₂O, wherein n is 3 to 7,500, and the maltodextrin polymer comprises a 500 to 1,250,000 number-average molecular weight; a poly(alkylene oxide) represented by, e.g., a poly(ethylene oxide) and a poly(propylene oxide) having a 50,000 to 750,000 weight-average molecular weight, and more specifically represented by a poly(ethylene oxide) of at least one of 100,000, 200,000, 300,000 or 400,000 weight-average molecular weights; an alkali carboxyalkylcellulose, wherein the alkali is sodium or potassium, the alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl of 10,000 to 175,000 weight-average molecular weight; and a copolymer of ethylene-acrylic acid, including methacrylic and ethacrylic acid of 10,000 to 500,000 number-average molecular weight.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the delivery or push layer comprises an osmopolymer. Examples of the osmopolymer include but are not limited to a member selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene oxide and a carboxyalkylcellulose. The polyalkylene oxide possesses a 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 weight-average molecular weight. The polyalkylene oxide may be a member selected from the group consisting of polymethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyethylene oxide having a 1,000,000 average molecular weight, polyethylene oxide comprising a 5,000,000 average molecular weight, polyethylene oxide comprising a 7,000,000 average molecular weight, cross-linked polymethylene oxide possessing a 1,000,000 average molecular weight, and polypropylene oxide of 1,200,000 average molecular weight. Typical osmopolymer carboxyalkylcellulose comprises a member selected from the group consisting of alkali carboxyalkylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, potassium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxyethylcellulose, lithium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxyethylcellulose, carboxyalkylhydroxyalkylcellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxyethylhydroxyethylcellulose and carboxymethylhydroxypropylcellulose. The osmopolymers used for the displacement layer exhibit an osmotic pressure gradient across the semipermeable wall. The osmopolymers imbibe fluid into dosage form, thereby swelling and expanding as an osmotic hydrogel (also known as osmogel), whereby they push the active pharmaceutical ingredient (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride) from the osmotic dosage form.

The push layer may also include one or more osmotically effective compounds also known as osmagents and as osmotically effective solutes. They imbibe an environmental fluid, for example, from the gastrointestinal tract, into dosage form and contribute to the delivery kinetics of the displacement layer. Examples of osmotically active compounds comprise a member selected from the group consisting of osmotic salts and osmotic carbohydrates. Examples of specific osmagents include but are not limited to sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, lithium phosphate, lithium chloride, sodium phosphate, potassium sulfate, sodium sulfate, potassium phosphate, glucose, fructose and maltose.

The push layer may optionally include a hydroxypropylalkylcellulose possessing a 9,000 to 450,000 number-average molecular weight. The hydroxypropylalkylcellulose is represented by a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl isopropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylbutylcellulose, and hydroxypropylpentylcellulose.

The push layer optionally may comprise a nontoxic colorant or dye. Examples of colorants or dyes include but are not limited to Food and Drug Administration Colorant (FD&C), such as FD&C No. 1 blue dye, FD&C No. 4 red dye, red ferric oxide, yellow ferric oxide, titanium dioxide, carbon black, and indigo.

The push layer may also optionally comprise an antioxidant to inhibit the oxidation of ingredients. Some examples of antioxidants include but are not limited to a member selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, a mixture of 2 and 3 tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, sodium isoascorbate, dihydroguaretic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfate, sorbic acid, potassium ascorbate, vitamin E, 4-chloro-2,6-di-tert butylphenol, α-tocopherol, and propylgallate.

In certain alternative embodiments, the dosage form comprises a homogenous core comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (e.g., oxycodone hydrochloride), a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer (e.g., polyethylene oxide), optionally a disintegrant (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone), optionally an absorption enhancer (e.g., a fatty acid, a surfactant, a chelating agent, a bile salt, etc.). The homogenous core is surrounded by a semipermeable wall having a passageway (as defined above) for the release of the opioid API.

In certain embodiments, the semipermeable wall comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a cellulose ester polymer, a cellulose ether polymer and a cellulose ester-ether polymer. Representative wall polymers comprise a member selected from the group consisting of cellulose acylate, cellulose diacylate, cellulose triacylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate, mono-, di- and tricellulose alkenylates, and mono-, di- and tricellulose alkinylates. The poly(cellulose) used for the present invention comprises a number-average molecular weight of 20,000 to 7,500,000.

Additional senmipermeable polymers for the purpose of this invention comprise acetaldehyde dimethycellulose acetate, cellulose acetate ethylcarbamate, cellulose acetate methylcarbamate, cellulose diacetate, propylcarbamate, cellulose acetate diethylaminoacetate; semipermeable polyamide; semipermeable polyurethane; semipermeable sulfonated polystyrene; semipermeable cross-linked polymer formed by the coprecipitation of a polyanion and a polycation as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,173,876; 3,276,586; 3,541,005; 3,541,006 and 3,546,876; semipermeable polymers as disclosed by Loeb and Sourirajan in U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,132; semipermeable crosslinked polystyrenes; semipermeable cross-linked poly(sodium styrene sulfonate); semipermeable crosslinked poly(vinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride); and semipermeable polymers possessing a fluid permeability of 2.5×10⁻⁸ to 2.5×10⁻² (cm²/hr atm) expressed per atmosphere of hydrostatic or osmotic pressure difference across the semipermeable wall. Other polymers useful in the present invention are known in the art in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899 and 4,160,020; and in Handbook of Common Polymers, Scott, J. R. and W. J. Roff, 1971, CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio.

In certain embodiments, preferably the semipermeable wall is nontoxic, inert, and it maintains its physical and chemical integrity during the dispensing life of the drug. In certain embodiments, the dosage form comprises a binder. An example of a binder includes, but is not limited to a therapeutically acceptable vinyl polymer having a 5,000 to 350,000 viscosity-average molecular weight, represented by a member selected from the group consisting of poly-n-vinylamide, poly-n-vinylacetamide, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), also known as poly-n-vinylpyrrolidone, poly-n-vinylcaprolactone, poly-n-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and poly-n-vinyl-pyrrolidone copolymers with a member selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride, vinyl butyrate, vinyl laureate, and vinyl stearate. Other binders include for example, acacia, starch, gelatin, and hydroxypropylalkylcellulose of from 9,200 to 250,000 average molecular weight.

In certain embodiments, the dosage form comprises a lubricant, which may be used during the manufacture of the dosage form to prevent sticking to die wall or punch faces. Examples of lubricants include but are not limited to magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, stearic acid, calcium stearate, magnesium oleate, oleic acid, potassium oleate, caprylic acid, sodium stearyl fumarate, and magnesium palmitate.

Suppositories

The sustained release formulations of the present invention may be formulated as a pharmaceutical suppository for rectal administration comprising a suitable suppository base, and a pharmaceutical opioid composition. Preparation of sustained release suppository formulations is described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,758.

Prior to absorption, the drug must be in solution. In the case of suppositories, solution must be preceded by dissolution of the suppository base, or the melting of the base and subsequent partition of the drug from the suppository base into the rectal fluid. The absorption of the drug into the body may be altered by the suppository base. Thus, the particular suppository base to be used in conjunction with a particular drug must be chosen giving consideration to the physical properties of the drug. For example, lipid-soluble drugs will not partition readily into the rectal fluid, but drugs that are only slightly soluble in the lipid base will partition readily into the rectal fluid.

Among the different factors affecting the dissolution time (or release rate) of the drugs are the surface area of the drug substance presented to the dissolution solvent medium, the pH of the solution, the solubility of the substance in the specific solvent medium, and the driving forces of the saturation concentration of dissolved materials in the solvent medium. Generally, factors affecting the absorption of drugs from suppositories administered rectally include suppository vehicle, absorption site pH, drug pKa, degree of ionization, and lipid solubility.

The suppository base chosen should be compatible with the active of the present invention. Further, the suppository base is preferably non-toxic and nonirritating to mucous membranes, melts or dissolves in rectal fluids, and is stable during storage.

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention for both water-soluble and water-insoluble drugs, the suppository base comprises a fatty acid wax selected from the group consisting of mono-, di- and triglycerides of saturated, natural fatty acids of the chain length C₁₂ to C₁₈.

In preparing the suppositories of the present invention other excipients may be used. For example, a wax may be used to form the proper shape for administration via the rectal route. This system can also be used without wax, but with the addition of diluent filled in a gelatin capsule for both rectal and oral administration.

Examples of suitable commercially available mono-, di- and triglycerides include saturated natural fatty acids of the 12-18 carbon atom chain sold under the trade name Novata™ (types AB, AB, B, BC, BD, BBC, E, BCF, C, D and 299), manufactured by Henkel, and Witepsol™ (types H5, H12, H15, H175, H185, H19, H32, H35, H39, H42, W25, W31, W35, W45, S55, S58, E75, E76 and E85), manufactured by Dynamit Nobel.

Other pharmaceutically acceptable suppository bases may be substituted in whole or in part for the above-mentioned mono-, di- and triglycerides. The amount of base in the suppository is determined by the size (i.e. actual weight) of the dosage form, the amount of base (e.g., alginate) and drug used. Generally, the amount of suppository base is from about 20 percent to about 90 percent of the total weight of the suppository. Preferably, the amount of suppository base in the suppository is from about 65 percent to about 80 percent, of the total weight of the suppository.

The following examples are meant to illustrate, but in no way to limit, the present invention.

EXAMPLES Comparative Example 1: Preparation of Oxycodone Free Base According to US 2010/0048905

Example 1 from US 2010/0048905 was repeated as follows.

1. Thebaine (3.22 g, 10.3 mmol) was charged into a 100 mL reaction vessel equipped with a temperature probe, an overhead stirrer and a reflux condenser as a slurry in deionized water (9 mL).

2. The reaction mixture was stirred at 300 rpm, while maintaining an internal temperature of 20° C.

3. Formic acid (88%, 6 mL, 139.9 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. During the formic acid addition, the solids readily dissolved, and the temperature of the reaction mixture increased to 30° C.

4. After the temperature of the reaction mixture had cooled to 20° C., 35% hydrogen peroxide (1.36 mL, 15.8 mmol) and sulfuric acid (0.165 mL, 2.99 mmol) were added to the reaction mixture.

5. The reaction was stirred (300 rpm) at 20° C. for 16 hours, until greater than 95% of thebaine was consumed by the reaction.

6. 0.30 g of 5% palladium on carbon was added to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture was heated to 45° C. and stirred at 45° C. for 2 hours.

7. The reaction mixture was then heated to 60° C. and stirred at 60° C. for 2 additional hours.

8. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 20° C. and stirred at 20° C. for 16 hours. Nothing precipitated out of the reaction mixture at this temperature.

9. The reaction mixture was then filtered through a plug of celite.

10. The filtrate was basified to a pH of about 9.5 with concentrated ammonium hydroxide, to precipitate a solid.

11. The composition containing the precipitate was allowed to stir at room temperature for 1 hour.

12. The composition was then filtered, the solid was washed with water (3×15 mL) and dried on the filter under vacuum for 1 hour. The solid was further dried in a vacuum oven at 80° C. for 16 hours to yield 2.33 g of the solid.

Analysis of the solid by the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011) showed that the composition had an HPLC peak area ratio of oxycodone:14-hydroxycodeinone:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone of 30,971,454:1,892,286:362,475:58,023. In other words, oxycodone base comprised 90.4% of the composition, 14-hydroxycodeinone comprised 61,098 ppm of the composition, 8α-hydroxyoxycodone comprised 11,704 ppm of the composition, 8β-hydroxyoxycodone comprised 1,873 ppm of the composition.

Synthetic Example 2: Preparation of 14-Hydroxycodeinone Sulfate

14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate was prepared as follows:

1. Into a 100 mL jacketed vessel equipped with a temperature probe, overhead stirrer and an addition funnel, thebaine (12.0 g, 38.6 mmol) was charged as a slurry in deionized water (18 mL).

2. The jacket temperature for the vessel was set to 20° C. and the slurry was stirred at 300 rpm.

3. 88% formic acid (6 mL, 140 mmol) was added into the reaction mixture. The solids readily dissolved into solution upon this addition. During the formic acid addition, the temperature of the reaction mixture increased to 29° C.

4. Sulfuric acid (1.15 mL, 21 mmol) was added to the solution, and the solution was stirred at 300 rpm.

5. After the solution temperature had cooled below 22° C., 35% hydrogen peroxide (4.00 mL, 46.5 mmol) was added to the reaction over 15 minutes, using the addition funnel.

6. After the peroxide addition was complete, an additional 3 mL of deionized water was added to the reaction through the addition funnel.

7. The reaction solution was allowed to stir (300 rpm) at 20° C. for 30 minutes.

8. The reaction was then heated to 30° C. and held at 30° C., while stirring at 300 rpm for 8 hours.

9. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 20° C. over 2 hours and stirred (300 rpm) for an additional 8 hours at this temperature.

10. The resulting solution was cooled to 0° C. After stirring for 1 hour at 0° C., no solids had precipitated out of solution.

11. While stirring at 300 rpm, the resulting solution was warmed to 20° C. and treated with 12 mL of methanol, followed by 12 mL of tetrahydrofuran and 24 mL of tert-butyl methyl ether (addition of antisolvents). The solution became visually cloudy, but no precipitation occurred.

12. The mixture was then treated with an additional 12 mL of methanol, followed by 24 mL of tert-butyl methyl ether. Precipitation of solids occurred after the antisolvent addition while stirring (300 rpm) at 20° C.

13. The suspension was allowed to stir (300 rpm) at 20° C. for 1 hour.

14. The solids were filtered under vacuum using a Buchner funnel, with Whatman #1 filter paper, and the solids were washed with tert-butyl methyl ether (2×12 mL).

15. The solids were dried under vacuum on the Buchner funnel for 1 hour, before being transferred to a drying oven and dried under vacuum at 80° C. for 16 hours.

16. 9.32 g (12.9 mmol (calculated without water of crystallization), 66.6% yield) of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate was isolated as fine yellow-white crystals and analyzed by the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011). Analysis showed an HPLC area ratio of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone of 23,193,784:22,729:18,875. In other words, the composition comprised 99.56% 14-hydroxycodeinone (based on HPLC area percent), 980 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone (based on HPLC area percent) and 815 ppm 8β-hydroxyoxycodone (based on HPLC area percent).

About 4.2 molar equivalents of total acid per molar equivalent of thebaine were used in this example. The molar ratio of sulfuric acid to formic acid was about 1:6.7. No precipitation was observed in step 10, but precipitation could be achieved by the total amount of antisolvent added in steps 11 and 12.

Comparative Example 3: Preparation of Oxycodone Base

A composition comprising 99.13% of oxycodone base, 26 ppm 14-hydroxycodeinone, 565 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and 298 ppm of 8β-hydroxyoxycodone, based on HPLC area percent, was prepared as follows:

1. Into a 300 mL hydrogenation vessel equipped with a magnetic stir bar, 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate obtained in Synthetic Example 2 (9.01 g, 12.43 mmol (calculated without water of crystallization)), deionized water (90 mL) and methanol (40 mL) were charged. The majority of solids dissolved into solution.

2. Formic acid (1.20 mL, 28.0 mmol) and 5% palladium on carbon (0.065 g) were added into the reaction mixture.

3. The vessel was sealed, stirred at 750 rpm and heated to 40° C.

4. The mixture was then hydrogenated at 60 psia (413.69 kPa) for 5 hours.

5. The reaction was vented, purged with nitrogen, vented and hydrogenated at 60 psia (413.69 kPa) for an additional 1 hour.

6. The reaction was vented, purged with nitrogen and cooled to 22° C. over 8 hours.

7. The reaction mixture was filtered through filter paper to remove the palladium on carbon and the filtrate was sampled for HPLC analysis by the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011). The results showed that less than 1% 14-hydroxycodeinone remained by HPLC area %.

8. The filtrate was transferred to a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar and pH probe. The solution pH was 2.64.

9. While stirring at 200 rpm, the solution was basified by adding 4.9 mL of 28% ammonium hydroxide; solids precipitated out of solution during the ammonium hydroxide addition and the final pH of the mixture was 9.08.

10. The mixture was allowed to stir (200 rpm) at 22° C. for an additional 30 minutes.

11. The solids were filtered under vacuum using a Buchner funnel with Whatman#2 filter paper, and the solids were washed with water (2×10 mL).

12. The solids were dried under vacuum on the Buchner funnel for 2 hours, before being transferred to a drying oven and dried under vacuum to a constant weight.

13. Isolated: 6.59 g (20.9 mmol, 84% yield) of oxycodone (base) as a white crystalline powder as analyzed by HPLC (USP method referred to above under item 7). The HPLC area ratio of oxycodone:14-hydroxycodeinone:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone was 32,465,231:855 (26 ppm):18,285 (565 ppm):9,643 (298 ppm). In other words, the composition contained 99.13% of oxycodone base, 26 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone, 565 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and 298 ppm of 8β-hydroxyoxycodone, based on HPLC area percent.

Synthetic Example 4: Preparation of 14-Hydroxycodeinone Sulfate

1. Thebaine (30.02 g, 96.4 mmol) was charged into a 100 mL jacketed vessel equipped with a temperature probe, overhead stirrer and a funnel as a slurry in deionized water (60 mL).

2. The jacket temperature for the vessel was set to 20° C., and the slurry was stirred at 400 rpm.

3. Formic acid (88%, 10.5 mL, 244.9 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. Upon addition of the formic acid, the solids readily dissolved.

4. Sulfuric acid (3.00 mL, 54.3 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture.

5. During the acid addition, the temperature of the reaction mixture increased to 30° C.

6. After the temperature of the reaction mixture had cooled to below 25° C., hydrogen peroxide (35%, 9.00 mL, 104.7 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture over 15 minutes.

7. After the addition of hydrogen peroxide was complete, an additional 6.75 mL of deionized water was added to the reaction. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir (400 rpm) at 20° C. for 20 minutes.

8. The reaction mixture was then heated to 29° C. and held at 29° C., while stirring at 400 rpm for 21 hours.

9. The reaction was then heated to 35° C. over 40 minutes and stirred for an additional 18 hours at 35° C.

10. Half of the reaction material (55 mL) was removed from the reaction at 35° C., and the remaining material was cooled to 10° C. at a rate of −1° C. per 5 minutes, while stirring at 200 rpm. When the solution temperature had dropped to 20° C., a solid composition precipitated out of the solution to form a suspension.

11. The suspension was stirred (200 rpm) at 10° C. for 1 hour.

12. Isopropanol (30 mL) was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was stirred (200 rpm) at 10° C. for an addition 1 hour.

13. The solids were filtered under vacuum using a Buchner funnel, with Whatman #1 filter paper, and washed with isopropanol (2×30 mL).

14. The solids were then dried under vacuum on the Buchner funnel for 1 hour, before being transferred to a drying oven and dried under vacuum at 80° C. for 16 hours to afford 9.69 g (13.4 mmol, 55.5% yield) of fine yellow-white crystals.

Analysis of the fine yellow-white crystals showed the composition had an HPLC peak area ratio of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone of 37,461,836:7,981 (216 ppm):55,441 (1,480 ppm) (based on HPLC area percent using the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011)). In other words, the composition comprised about 95.14% 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate, about 216 ppm 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and about 1480 ppm 8β-hydroxyoxycodone.

Comparative Example 5: Preparation of Oxycodone Sulfate

1. Into a 300 mL hydrogenation vessel equipped with a magnetic stir bar, 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate (25.03 g, 33.65 mmol (calculated without water of crystallization and based on 97.19% HPLC area percent using the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011))), deionized water (60 mL), 1-methoxy-2-propanol (60 mL) and 5% palladium on carbon (0.125 g) were charged. The solids partially dissolved into solution. The 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate contained 2999 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and 3647 ppm of 8β-hydroxyoxycodone, based on HPLC area percent using the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011).

2. The vessel was sealed, stirred at 750 rpm and heated to 40° C.

3. The mixture was then hydrogenated at 60 psia (413.69 kPa) for 12 hours.

4. The reaction was vented, purged with nitrogen and cooled to 22° C. over 8 hours.

5. The reaction mixture was sampled for HPLC analysis, indicating some 14-hydroxycodeinone was still present in the mixture.

6. The vessel was sealed, stirred at 750 rpm and heated to 40° C.

7. The mixture was then hydrogenated at 60 psia (413.69 kPa) for 4 hours.

8. The reaction was vented, purged with nitrogen and cooled to 22° C.

9. The reaction mixture was filtered through filter paper to remove the palladium on carbon. The filtered palladium on carbon was rinsed with a 1:1 mixture of deionized water: 1-methoxy-2-propanol (50 mL) and the resulting rinsing solution was combined with the filtrate.

10. After sitting at ambient temperature for 48 hours, cube shaped crystals formed in the filtrate.

11. The filtrate was then treated with 175 mL of tert-butyl methyl ether and 75 mL of acetone. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour.

12. The mixture was then filtered using a Buchner funnel with Whatman #1 filter paper.

13. The solids were dried under vacuum on the Buchner funnel for 2 hours.

14. The filtrate was transferred to a round bottom flask and concentrated under reduced pressure. The concentrated material was dried under house vacuum, at ambient temperature for 16 hours.

15. The concentrated filtrate was treated with 1-methoxy-2-propanol (200 mL) and deionized water (30 mL). The resulting suspension was transferred to a jacketed reaction vessel, equipped with an overhead stirrer.

16. The suspension was heated to 70° C., while stirring at 350 rpm. After stirring for 30 minutes at 70° C., deionized water (10 mL) was added to the reaction mixture.

17. While stirring at 350 rpm, the suspension was further heated to 85° C. Deionized water (5 mL) was added. The solids completely dissolved into the solution.

18. The mixture was stirred an additional 30 minutes at 85° C., and then cooled to ambient temperature over 1.5 hours. Solids precipitated out of solution during this cooling step.

19. The suspension was further cooled to 5° C. over 30 minutes, and further stirred (350 rpm) at 5° C. for an additional hour.

20. The solids were filtered under vacuum using a Buchner funnel with Whatman #2 filter paper.

15. The solids were dried under vacuum on the Buchner funnel for 30 minutes, before being transferred to a drying oven and dried under vacuum to a constant weight.

16. Isolated: 3.66 g of solid (oxycodone sulfate) from the first filtration (5.02 mmol, 14.5% yield) with an HPLC area ratio of oxycodone:14-hydroxycodeinone:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone of 69/802,100:1412 (20 ppm):9803 (140 ppm):3051 (44 ppm). In other words, the composition contained 99.58% of oxycodone, 20 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone, 140 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and 44 ppm of 8β-hydroxyoxycodone, based on HPLC area percent using the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011).

17. Isolated: 15.56 g of solid (oxycodone sulfate) from the second filtration (21.3 mmol, 61.8% yield) with an HPLC area ratio of oxycodone:14-hydroxycodeinone:8α-hydroxyoxycodone:8β-hydroxyoxycodone of 48,066,531:13,746 (286 ppm):40,497 (843 ppm):23,431 (487 ppm). In other words, the composition contained 99.55% of oxycodone, 286 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone, 843 ppm of 8α-hydroxyoxycodone and 487 ppm of 8β-hydroxyoxycodone, based on HPLC area percent using the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011).

Example 6: Prophetic Example for the Hydrogenation of 14-Hydroxycodeinone Sulfate in the Presence of Trifluoroacetic Acid and Propylene Glycol

14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate and 5% Pd/C can be suspended in a mixture of water (3.9 volumes in mL per weight of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate in g) and propylene glycol (2.60 volumes in mL per weight of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate in g) in a reaction flask. To this mixture can be added trifluoroacetic acid (0.40 equivalents) and the mixture can then be hydrogenated with an overhead mounted balloon of hydrogen (ambient pressure, 14.7 psia) at a temperature from 25° C. to 45° C., while stirring at approximately 1100 rpm with a stirring bar. The reaction can be monitored by HPLC (for example, the HPLC method described in USP 34-NF 29, First Supplement, Monograph on Oxycodone Hydrochloride, page 5016, Assay described in right column (official from Dec. 1, 2011)) to determine when all of the 14-hydroxycodeinone is reacted. The mixture can be filtered over Celite, washed with water (1 volume) and cooled to −5 to 24° C. The mixture can be basified with concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide (30% w/w) to a pH between 9 and 11 to precipitate oxycodone base. The solids can be isolated by filtration and washed with 65% 2-butanol/water (2×1 volume), then 2-butanol (1 volume). The product can be transferred to a vacuum oven and further dried in vacuo to remove residual 2-butanol and water from the oxycodone.

In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. (canceled)
 2. The process of claim 13, wherein trifluoroacetic acid and a glycol are added in step (f).
 3. The process of claim 13, wherein n is 2 and X^(n−) is SO₄ ²⁻.
 4. The process of claim 13, wherein the amount of trifluoroacetic acid is 99 mol % or less as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.
 5. The process of claim 4, wherein the amount of trifluoroacetic acid is from 30 mol % to 50 mol % as compared to the molar amount of 14-hydroxycodeinone contained in the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.
 6. The process of claim 13, wherein the glycol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, neopentylglycol, and mixtures thereof.
 7. The process of claim 6, wherein the glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.
 8. The process of claim 13, wherein the glycol added in step (f) is in the range of 1 to 8 volumes/weight calculated for the glycol volume in mL in relation to the weight in g of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt.
 9. The process of claim 13, wherein the hydrogenation in step (g) is performed with H₂ and a hydrogenation catalyst.
 10. The process of claim 13, wherein a mixture of water and the glycol is used as solvent, wherein the mixture is in a range from 20:80 to 45:55 glycol:water.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The process of claim 16, wherein the base added is NaOH.
 13. A process for preparing oxycodone or a salt or solvate thereof from thebaine, the process comprising or consisting of the steps

(a) oxidizing the thebaine to 14-hydroxycodeinone; (b) adding an acid H⁺ _(n)X^(n−) to the reaction mixture before, during and/or after the oxidation reaction; (c) optionally precipitating the resulting 14-hydroxycodeinone as 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof; (d) optionally isolating the precipitated 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; (e) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof; (f) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol; and (g) reducing the 14-hydroxycodeinone present in the solution or suspension to the oxycodone by hydrogenation; and (h) optionally adding a base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates as its free base, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof, wherein X^(n−) is an anion selected from the group consisting of Cl⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof; and n is 1, 2, or
 3. 14-15. (canceled)
 16. The process of claim 13, additionally comprising the step (h) of adding the base, thus raising the pH to a pH where the oxycodone precipitates as its free base, and isolating the oxycodone as its free base or a solvate thereof.
 17. The process of claim 13, wherein the 14-hydroxycodeinone salt or a solvate thereof is 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate or a solvate thereof.
 18. The process of claim 13, wherein the 4-hydroxycodeinone salt or solvate thereof is precipitated and isolated in the steps (c) and (d).
 19. The process of claim 13, wherein the thebaine is oxidized in the step (a) in the presence of an oxidizing agent formed in situ in a reaction mixture comprising formic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
 20. The process of claim 13, wherein the acid is added to the reaction mixture in the step (b) before or during the oxidation reaction. 